Communication method, information processing apparatus, and recording medium recording computer readable program

ABSTRACT

A communication method includes: a first transmission step of transmitting first setting information and first network organization information regarding one information processing apparatus of a second network via a first communication path; a first determination step of determining a role of communication with a first master apparatus via a second communication path on the basis of the first network organization information and role adjustment information; a second transmission step of transmitting second setting information and second network organization information to the first master apparatus via the first communication path; a second determination step of determining a role of the communication with a second master apparatus via the second communication path on the basis of the second network organization information and role adjustment information by the first master apparatus; and a first communication start step of starting the communication via the second communication path with another information processing apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application that claims priority toand the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/593,660, filed Jan. 9,2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/779,265,filed May 13, 2010, which claims priority to Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2009-138593 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Jun. 9,2009, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to a communication method, aninformation processing apparatus, and a recording medium recording acomputer readable program.

In recent years, there have been widely used information processingapparatuses carrying out wireless communication using a frequencyhopping spread spectrum such as IEEE 802.15.1 (also called “Bluetooth”(registered trademark)). For example, when a communication technology ofthe frequency hopping spread spectrum such as IEEE 802.15.1 is used,communication can be carried out in the range in which radio wavesarrive, even in a case where an obstacle is present between apparatuses.For example, IEEE 802.15.1 or the like is used for communication betweena cellular phone (which is an example of the information processingapparatus) and a headset (which is an example of the informationprocessing apparatus) to realize hands-free conversation or forcommunication between a PC (Personal Computer, which is an example ofthe information processing apparatus) and an operation device such as akeyboard. Moreover, when the communication technology of frequencyhopping spread spectrum such as IEEE 802.15.1 is used, power consumptionfor communication between information processing apparatuses can bereduced, compared to a case where another communication technology isused. Thanks to these advantages, there have been widely used theinformation processing apparatuses capable of carrying out wirelesscommunication using the communication technology such as the frequencyhopping spread spectrum such as IEEE 802.15.1.

In the wireless communication network where the plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses described above are used, one informationprocessing apparatus organizing the wireless communication networkserves as a master apparatus and the other information processingapparatuses serve as slave apparatuses to carry out wirelesscommunication. Here, the master apparatus refers to an informationprocessing apparatus that is in charge of determining a frequencyhopping pattern related to communication in the wireless communicationnetwork, for example. The slave apparatus refers to an informationprocessing apparatus that makes synchronization of the frequency hoppingpattern determined by the master apparatus to carry out communication inthe wireless communication network or the like. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 1, a star-type wireless communication network N10 isrealized by a plurality of information processing apparatuses in such amanner that one information processing apparatus of the plurality ofinformation processing apparatuses serves as the master apparatus andthe other information processing apparatuses serve as the slaveapparatuses, as described above. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagramillustrating an example of a star-type wireless communication network.FIG. 1 shows an example of the wireless communication network in whichan information processing apparatus 10A serves as the master apparatus.Information processing apparatuses 10B to 10D serve as the slaveapparatuses.

A technology has been developed to add a new information processingapparatus as an information processing apparatus organizing a wirelesscommunication network to the wireless communication network. Forexample, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2005-117656 discloses a technology capable of selectively adding theinformation processing apparatus as an information processing apparatusorganizing the wireless communication network by authenticating thenewly added information processing apparatus by use of a multi-hoptechnology.

SUMMARY

In recent years, multi functions have been realized in the informationprocessing apparatus capable of carrying out wireless communication byuse of a communication technology of the frequency hopping spreadspectrum such as IEEE 802.15.1. A certain information processingapparatus has been developed to realize an entertainment function suchas a game using wireless communication as well as the basic functions ofthe information processing apparatus. An example of the informationprocessing apparatus includes a mobile phone capable of realizing a gameusing wireless communication as well as the basic functions such ascalling or mailing.

In FIG. 1, when the plurality of information processing apparatuses 10Ato 10D (hereinafter, also generally referred to as “informationprocessing apparatuses 10”) organize one star-type wirelesscommunication network (hereinafter, also referred to as a “star-typenetwork” or a “network”) N10, the information processing apparatuses 10can carry out communication through the master apparatus 10A.

By constructing a network (hereinafter, referred to as a “scatternet”)formed by connection of a plurality of networks, communication can becarried out between information processing apparatuses belonging toother networks. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exampleof the scatternet. FIG. 2 shows an example where a network N11 organizedby the information processing apparatuses 10A and 10D and a network N12organized by the information processing apparatuses 10B and 10C areconnected to each other by a network N13 organized by the informationprocessing apparatuses 10A and 10C. In FIG. 2, the informationprocessing apparatus 10A serves as a master apparatus of the networksN11 and N13. The information processing apparatus 10C serves as a masterapparatus of the network N12. By constructing the scatternet illustratedin FIG. 2, communication can be realized between the informationprocessing apparatuses 10B and 10D illustrated in FIG. 2, for example,that is, the information processing apparatuses belonging to othernetworks.

However, when the communication is realized between the informationprocessing apparatuses by the construction of the scatternet, it isnecessary to provide the information processing apparatuses, such as theinformation processing apparatuses 10A and 10C illustrated in FIG. 2,performing processes related to the communication of the plurality ofnetworks. Therefore, when the communication is realized between theinformation processing apparatuses belonging to the other networks bythe construction of the scatternet, excessive load may be put on some ofthe information processing apparatuses organizing the scatternet. Forthis reason, unintended communication failure may occur due to areduction in throughput or communication disconnection caused byoverload.

When packets are transmitted from one information processing apparatusin a scatternet to any information processing apparatus in the case ofthe communication between the information processing apparatuses by theconstruction of the scatternet, the transmission paths of the packetsbecome complex with an increase in the number of networks in thescatternet. More specifically, the combinations of the transmissionpaths increase in an exponential manner with the increase in the numberof networks in the scatternet. Therefore, since the processes related tothe communication between the information processing apparatuses in thescatternet become complex with the increase in the number of networks,unintended communication failure may occur due to a reduction inthroughput or communication disconnection caused by overload.

When the communication is carried out between the information processingapparatuses by the construction of the scatternet, unintendedcommunication failure may occur. Therefore, stability of thecommunication may not be achieved. In view of the complexity of theprocesses related to the communication, it is difficult to realizeapplication software (hereinafter, referred to as an “application”), forexample, such as a game using wireless communication, using thecommunication between the information processing apparatuses in thescatternet. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new communicationmethod capable of carrying more stable communication between informationprocessing apparatuses belonging to different star-type networks withoutconstructing the scatternet, and to provide an information processingapparatus realizing the new communication method.

An information processing apparatus trying connection to a network in atechnology according to a known example (hereinafter, “a technologyaccording to a known example), in which a new information processingapparatus is added as an information processing apparatus organizing thenetwork to the network, carries out communication with a proxyauthentication apparatus organizing the network. In the technologyaccording to the known example, the proxy authentication apparatusauthenticates the information processing apparatus trying connection tothe network by performing authentication with a master authenticationapparatus in the network. Therefore, in the technology according to theknown example, a new information processing apparatus can be addedselectively to the network.

In the technology according to the known example, the authentication ofthe information processing apparatus trying the connection to thenetwork is performed between the proxy apparatus and the masterauthentication apparatus organizing the network. For this reason, evenwhen the information processing apparatus trying the connection to thenetwork is an information processing apparatus that does not belong tothe network but belongs to another network, the information processingapparatus trying the connection to the network is just added to thenetwork. That is, even when the technology according to the knownexample is used, the plurality of networks is connected to each othervia the information processing apparatus trying the connection.Therefore, the result of the scatternet in FIG. 2 may just be obtained.

Even when the technology according to the known example is used,unintended communication failure may occur as in the scatternet. Forthis reason, the stability of the communication may not be achieved.Moreover, even when the technology according to the known example isused, an application, such as a game using wireless communication,operating on the networks, operating on the network and using wirelesscommunication between the information processing apparatuses organizingother networks may not be realized, as in the scatternet.

It is desirable to provide a new improved communication method, aninformation processing apparatus, and a recording medium recording acomputer readable program capable of carrying out more stablecommunication between information processing apparatuses belonging toother star-type networks by integrating the plurality of star-typenetworks into one star-type network.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a communication methodbetween a first network, which is organized by a plurality ofinformation processing apparatuses each including a first communicationunit carrying out non-contact type communication with an externalapparatus via a first communication path using carrier waves with apredetermined frequency and a second communication unit carrying outcommunication with an external apparatus via a second communication pathdifferent from the first communication path, and in which oneinformation processing apparatus of the plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses serves as a first master apparatus playing a roleof a master in the communication via the second communication path andthe other information processing apparatuses serve as first slaveapparatuses playing a role of a slave, and a second network having thesame configuration as that of the first network. The communicationmethod includes: a first transmission step of transmitting first settinginformation used for the external apparatus to carry out thecommunication with the first master apparatus via the secondcommunication path and first network organization information regardingthe organization of the first network from the first master apparatus ofthe first network to one information processing apparatus of the secondnetwork via the first communication path; a first determination step ofdetermining a role of the communication with the first master apparatusvia the second communication path by the second master apparatus on thebasis of the received first network organization information and roleadjustment information used to determine the role of the communicationvia the second communication path, when the information processingapparatus receiving the first setting information and the first networkorganization information transmitted in the first transmission step is asecond master apparatus playing a role of a master in the secondnetwork; a second transmission step of transmitting second settinginformation used for the external apparatus to carry out thecommunication with the second master apparatus via the secondcommunication path and second network organization information regardingthe organization of the second network from the second master apparatusto the first master apparatus via the first communication path; a seconddetermination step of determining a role of the communication with thesecond master apparatus via the second communication path by the firstmaster apparatus on the basis of the received second networkorganization information and role adjustment information used todetermine the role of the communication via the second communicationpath; and a first communication start step of starting the communicationvia the second communication path by one information processingapparatus of the first and second master apparatuses determined to playthe role of the master in the first or second determination step withanother information processing apparatus organizing the network, towhich the other information processing apparatus determined to play therole of the slave in the first or second determination step belongs, onthe basis of the first setting information and the first networkorganization information or on the basis of the second settinginformation and the second network organization information.

By using the communication method to integrate the plurality ofstar-type networks into one star-type network, it is possible to realizemore stable communication between the information processing apparatusesbelonging to the different networks.

The communication method may further include a first disconnection stepof disconnecting the communication via the second communication pathwith the slave apparatuses organizing the network, to which the otherinformation processing apparatus determined to play the role of theslave in the first or second determination step belongs, by the otherinformation processing apparatus.

The communication method may further include: a third transmission stepof transmitting third setting information, which is used for an externalapparatus to carry out the communication via the second communicationpath with a second slave apparatus playing the role of the slave in thesecond network and receiving the first setting information and the firstnetwork organization information, and third network organizationinformation, which includes notification information indicatingtransmission of an external connection list including settinginformation used to carry out the communication via the secondcommunication path with the information processing apparatusesorganizing the second network other than the second slave apparatusreceiving the first setting information and the first networkorganization information, via the first communication path, when theinformation processing apparatus receiving the first setting informationand the first network organization information transmitted in the firsttransmission step is the second slave apparatus playing the role of theslave in the second network; a first acquiring request transmission stepof transmitting an acquiring request requesting transmission of theexternal connection list from the second slave apparatus receiving thefirst setting information and the first network organization informationto the second master apparatus via the second communication path; afourth transmission step of transmitting the external connection list inreply to the acquired request from the second master apparatus to thesecond slave apparatus transmitting the acquiring request via the secondcommunication path on the basis of the acquiring request transmitted inthe first acquiring request transmission step; a fifth transmission stepof transmitting the external connection list acquired from the secondmaster apparatus in the first acquiring request transmission step fromthe second slave apparatus to the first master apparatus via the secondcommunication path; and a second communication start step of startingthe communication via the second communication path with the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the second network by the first masterapparatus on the basis of the third setting information transmitted inthe third transmission step and the external connection list transmittedin the fifth transmission step.

The communication method may further include a role switch step ofswitching the roles of the master apparatus and the slave apparatusamong the plurality of the information processing apparatuses organizingthe first network. The master transmitting the first setting informationand the first network organization information via the firstcommunication path in the first transmission step may be the informationprocessing apparatus of which the role is switched in the role switchstep.

The role switch step may includes: a second acquiring requesttransmission step of transmitting an acquiring request requestingtransmission of an external connection list including settinginformation used to carry out communication with the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the first network other than the firstslave apparatus from one slave apparatus playing the role of the slaveamong the information processing apparatuses organizing the firstnetwork to the master apparatus playing the role of the master in thefirst network via the second communication path; a sixth transmissionstep of transmitting the external connection list in reply to theacquiring request from the master apparatus to the first slave apparatustransmitting the acquiring request via the second communication path onthe basis of the acquiring request transmitted in the second acquiringrequest transmission step; a second disconnection step of disconnectingthe communication via the second communication path with the slaveapparatuses organizing the first network other than the first slaveapparatus transmitting the acquiring request by the master apparatustransmitting the external connection list in the sixth transmissionstep; and a role switch step of switching the role of the first slaveapparatus transmitting the acquiring request to the role of the masterand switching the role of the master disconnecting the communication inthe second disconnection step to the role of the slave.

The third network information may include a header representing a kindof information, designation role information representing a requestedrole in the communication via the second communication path, and thenotification information.

The communication method may further include: a third acquiring requesttransmission step of transmitting an acquiring request, which requeststransmission of an external connection list including settinginformation used to carry out communication with the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the second network other than a secondslave apparatus playing the role of the slave of the second network andreceiving the first setting information and the first networkorganization information, from the second slave apparatus receiving thefirst setting information and the first network organization informationto the second master apparatus via the second communication path, whenthe information processing apparatus receiving the first settinginformation and the first network organization information transmittedin the first transmission step is the second slave apparatus playing therole of the slave in the second network; a seventh transmission step oftransmitting the external connection list in reply to the acquiringrequest from the second master apparatus to the second slave apparatustransmitting the acquiring request via the second communication path onthe basis of the acquiring request transmitted in the third acquiringrequest transmission step; an eighth transmission step of transmittingsecond network organization information, which includes the externalconnection list acquired from the second master apparatus in the thirdacquiring request transmission step, and third setting information,which is used for an external apparatus to carry out communication withthe second slave apparatus receiving the first setting information andthe first network organization information via the second communicationpath, from the second slave apparatus receiving the first settinginformation and the first network organization information transmittedin the first transmission step to the first master apparatus via thesecond communication path; and a third communication start step ofstarting the communication via the second communication path with theinformation processing apparatuses organizing the second network by thefirst master apparatus receiving the third setting information and thesecond network organization information transmitted in the eighttransmission step on the basis of the received third setting informationand second network organization information.

The communication method may further include a third disconnection stepof disconnecting the communication via the second communication pathwith the slave apparatuses organizing the second network by the secondmaster apparatus transmitting the external connection list in theseventh transmission step.

The first network organization information and the second networkorganization information may each include a header representing the kindof information, designation role information representing the requestedrole in the communication via the second communication path, and anexternal connection list including setting information used for anexternal apparatus to carry out communication with the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the network other than the informationprocessing apparatus transmitting the first network organizationinformation or the second network organization information.

The external connection list may further include authenticationinformation used for authentication upon carrying out communication withthe information processing apparatuses organizing the first network orthe information processing apparatuses organizing the second network.

The authentication information may be unique information of the firstand second networks or unique information of each of the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the first network and each of theinformation processing apparatuses organizing the second network.

According to another embodiment, there is provided an informationprocessing apparatus including: a first communication unit that carriesout non-contact type communication with an external apparatus via afirst communication path using carrier waves with a predeterminedfrequency; a second communication unit that carries out communicationwith an external apparatus via a second communication path differentfrom the first communication path; a communication controller thatcontrols each of the communications via the first communication path andthe communication via the second communication path; and a rolecontroller that determines a role in the communication via the secondcommunication path with an external apparatus belonging to an externalnetwork organized by a plurality of the external apparatuses connectedvia the second communication path on the basis of network organizationinformation regarding configuration of the external network, the networkorganization information being transmitted from one external apparatusbelonging to the external network and received by the firstcommunication unit, and role adjustment information used to determinethe role in the communication via the second communication path. Thecommunication controller permits active communication via the secondcommunication path with each of the external apparatuses organizing theexternal network, the communication controller is determined to play arole of a master of the communication via the second communication pathby the role controller. The communication controller permits passivecommunication via the second communication path with the one externalapparatus, the communication controller is determined to play a role ofa slave of the communication via the second communication path by therole controller.

With such a configuration, by integrating the plurality of star-typenetworks into one star-type network, it is possible to realize morestable communication between the information processing apparatusesbelonging to the different networks.

According to still another embodiment, there is provided a recordingmedium recording a computer readable program causing a computer tofunction as: means for carrying out non-contact type communication withan external apparatus via a first communication path using carrier waveswith a predetermined frequency; means for carrying out communicationwith an external apparatus via a second communication path differentfrom the first communication path; control means for controlling each ofthe communications via the first communication path and thecommunication via the second communication path; and determination meansfor determining a role in the communication via the second communicationpath with an external apparatus belonging to an external networkorganized by a plurality of the external apparatuses connected via thesecond communication path on the basis of network organizationinformation regarding configuration of the external network, the networkorganization information being transmitted from one external apparatusbelonging to the external network and received by the firstcommunication unit, and role adjustment information used to determinethe role in the communication via the second communication path. Thecontrol means permits active communication via the second communicationpath with each of the external apparatuses organizing the externalnetwork, when the control means is determined to play a role of a masterof the communication via the second communication path by thedetermination means. The control means permits passive communication viathe second communication path with the one external apparatus, when thecontrol means is determined to play a role of a slave of thecommunication via the second communication path by the determinationmeans.

By using the recording medium recording a computer readable program tointegrate the plurality of star-type networks into one star-typenetwork, it is possible to realize more stable communication between theinformation processing apparatuses belonging to the different networks.

According to the an embodiment, it is possible to carry out more stablecommunication between the information processing apparatuses belongingto the different star-type networks by integrating the plurality ofstar-type networks into one star-type network.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a star-typewireless communication network.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of ascatternet.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of processesrelated to communication stabilization approach according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of theprocesses related to the communication stabilization approach accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of theprocesses related to the communication stabilization approach accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 3D is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of theprocesses related to the communication stabilization approach accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example ofinformation transmitted and received via a first communication pathaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second example of theinformation transmitted and received via the first communication pathaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of roleadjustment information that is used in a roll determining process by aninformation processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of aprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theexternal connection list according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theexternal connection list according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theexternal connection list according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theexternal connection list according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second example of theprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12D is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a third example of theprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14C is an explanatory diagram supplementarily illustrating anexample of the process shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theexternal connection list according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theexternal connection list according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fourth example of theprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fifth example of aprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fifth example of aprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17C is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fifth example of aprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theconfiguration of the information processing apparatus according to anembodiment.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of thehardware configuration of the information processing apparatus accordingto an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings according to an embodiment. In the specificationand drawings, the same reference numerals are given to constituentelements having substantially the same function and the repeateddescription is omitted.

The description will be made below in the following order.

1. Communication Method according to Embodiment

2. Information Processing Apparatus according to Embodiment

3. Recording Medium Recording Computer Readable Program according toEmbodiment

Communication Method According to Embodiment

A communication method according to an embodiment will be describedbefore an information processing apparatus according to the embodimentis described.

Communication Stabilization Approach According to Embodiment

As described above, the communication can be carried out between theinformation processing apparatuses belonging to other networks in ascatternet in which the plurality of star-type networks is connected toeach other. However, unintended communication failure may occur and thusprocesses related to the communication may become complex. Even when thetechnology according to the known example is used, unintendedcommunication failure may occur as in the scatternet. Therefore, theprocesses related to the communication may become complex.

In an embodiment, the plurality of star-type networks is integrated intoone star-type network. Here, by integrating the plurality of star-typenetworks into one star-type network, the communication between theinformation processing apparatuses belonging to the other networksbefore the integration is the same as the communication in the stateillustrated in FIG. 1. In view of the above-described circumstance,according to the embodiment, it is possible to stabilize thecommunication between any of the information processing apparatusesorganizing the integrated network, as well as the communication betweenthe information processing apparatus belonging to other star-typenetworks, by integrating the plurality of star-type networks into onestar-type network.

An example of the star-type network according to an embodiment includesa star-type network in which a plurality of information processingapparatuses are connected to each other using a communication technologyof a frequency hopping spread spectrum such as IEEE 802.15.1.Hereinafter, communication such as communication using IEEE 802.15.1between the information processing apparatuses in the star-type networkwill be described according to an embodiment. However, the communicationbetween the information processing apparatuses in the network accordingto an embodiment is not limited to the above-described communication.For example, in the start-type network according to an embodiment,communication may be carried out between the information processingapparatuses by any communication in which a star-type network can berealized by the frequency hopping spread spectrum. Hereinafter, IEEE802.15.1 is also referred to as “BT”.

The communication between any of the information processing apparatusesorganizing the network formed by integrating the plurality of star-typenetworks into one star-type network is carried out via a masterapparatus, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1. That is, in theintegrated network, there is no information processing apparatus thathas to perform the processes related to the communication carried out inthe plurality of networks, as in the scatternet illustrated in FIG. 2 orthe technology according to the known example. Therefore, in theintegrated network according to the embodiment, the possibility thatunintended communication failure occurs can be further reduced, comparedto the case of the scatternet.

In an embodiment, combinations of transmission paths of packets are notincreased in an exponential manner, as in the scatternet, since theplurality of star-type networks are integrated into one star-typenetwork. Accordingly, since the complexity of the processes related tothe communication is reduced, compared to the case of the scatternet, inthe integrated network according to an embodiment, the possibility thatunintended communication failure occurs can be further reduced, comparedto the case of the scatternet. Moreover, by reducing the complexity ofthe processes related to the communication, it is possible to moreeasily realize an application, such as a game using wirelesscommunication, operating on the network and using communication betweenthe information processing apparatuses.

By using the communication stabilization approach according to theembodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that unintendedcommunication failure occurs. Therefore, it is possible to carry outmore stable communication between any of the information processingapparatuses, as well as the communication between the informationprocessing apparatuses belonging to different star-type networks.

Overview of Process Related to Communication Stabilization Approach

Next, the overview of a process related to the communicationstabilization approach will be described according to an embodiment.Hereinafter, it will be described about the overview of the processrelated to the communication stabilization approach according to theembodiment by exemplifying a case where two star-type networks areintegrated into one star-type network. However, the number of star-typenetworks integrated using the communication stabilization approachaccording to an embodiment is not limited to two. For example, byrepeating the process of integrating two star-type networks into onestar-type network, three or more star-type networks may be integratedinto one star-type network.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the overview of theprocess related to the communication stabilization approach according toan embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a state before the integration of thenetworks. FIGS. 3B and 3C show states after the integration of thenetworks. FIG. 3D shows a state where the networks are integrated. InFIGS. 3A to 3D, an information processing apparatus playing a role of amaster apparatus of a network is indicated by “Mm” (where m is a naturalnumber). In addition, an information processing apparatus plays a roleof a slave apparatus is indicated by “Sn”. Hereinafter, informationprocessing apparatuses 100 represent “master apparatuses Mm” and “slaveapparatuses Sn”.

(A) State Before Integration (FIG. 3A)

In FIG. 3A, a network N1 organized by information processing apparatuses100A, 100B, and 100C is shown. In addition, a network N2 organized byinformation processing apparatuses 100D, 100E, 100F, and 100G is shown.Here, in the network N1, the information processing apparatus 100A playsthe role of the master. The information processing apparatuses 100B and100C play the role of the slaves. In the network N2, the informationprocessing apparatus 100D plays the role of the master. The informationprocessing apparatuses 100E, 100F, and 100G play the role of the slaves.Hereinafter, one of the networks N1 and N2 is also termed a “firstnetwork” and the other thereof is also termed a “second network.

The information processing apparatuses 100A to 100F (hereinafter, alsotermed “information processing apparatuses 100”) organizing the networksN1 and N2 each have a function of carrying out communication between theother information processing apparatuses 100 by using two differentcommunication paths. Now, will be described the meaning of theinformation processing apparatuses 100 having the function of carryingout communication with the other information processing apparatuses 100by using the two different communication paths.

Meaning of Information Processing Apparatuses 100 Having Function ofCarrying Out Communication with Other Information Processing Apparatuses100 by Using Two Different Communication Paths

When a network is organized by the communication between the informationprocessing apparatuses 100, it is necessary to carry out a communicationmethod at high speed and more securely. Therefore, even when the networkis organized by the communication between the information processingapparatuses 100 connected to each other using IEEE 802.15.1, it isnecessary to perform various kinds of connection setting (for example,address information and passcode) such as communication setting of IEEE802.15.1. When a user has to operate a predetermined connection setting,the work on the various kinds of setting to make the communicationpossible between the information processing apparatuses 100 mayconsiderably lessen the user's convenience.

In an embodiment, setting information used to set a communicable statein a first communication path (which is described below) and a secondcommunication path (which is described below) and network organizationinformation representing the organization of the network belonging tothe information processing apparatus are transmitted and receivedbetween the information processing apparatuses 100. An example of thesetting information according to an embodiment and an example of thenetwork organization information with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 will bedescribed.

The first communication path refers to a communication path formed by acommunication method of carrying out one-to-one communication betweenthe one information processing apparatus 100 and the other informationprocessing apparatuses 100 without performing special connection settingby the user. An example of the first communication path according to theembodiment includes a communication path formed by NFC (Near FieldCommunication) using a magnetic field (carrier waves) of a predeterminedfrequency such as 13.56 MHz in communication. However, the applicationis not limited thereto. In the embodiment, for example, a communicationpath formed by infrared communication using infrared rays may be used asthe first communication path.

When the first communication path is the communication path formed byNFC, one information processing apparatus 100 plays the role of areader/writer that mainly transmits carrier waves. In this case, theother information processing apparatus 100 receives signals transmittedby the carrier waves from the one information processing apparatus 100,performs load modulation in response to the received signals, and makesa reply to the one information processing apparatus 100. One informationprocessing apparatus 100 and the other information processingapparatuses 100 can carry the communication via the first communicationpath by transmitting and receiving the signals, for example.

The second communication path refers to a communication path formed by acommunication method of carrying out one-to-one communication betweenone information processing apparatus 100 and the other informationprocessing apparatuses 100 without performing special connection settingof the user and carrying out high-speed communication. The secondcommunication path corresponds to a communication path used for thecommunication to organize the star-type network by use of the frequencyhopping spread spectrum. An example of the second communication pathaccording to the embodiment includes wireless communication using IEEE802.15.1, for example, but the present application is not limitedthereto.

In an embodiment, each of the information processing apparatuses 100organizing the network has the function of carrying out communicationwith the other information processing apparatuses 100 using twodifferent communication paths. Therefore, it is possible to improveuser's convenience and maintain a communicable state between theinformation processing apparatuses 100.

(B) First State Related to Integration of Networks (FIG. 3B)

(B-1) Communication Process via First Communication Path

When the integration of the networks is started, the communication viathe first communication path is carried out between one of theinformation processing apparatuses 100 belonging to the network N1 andthe other information processing apparatuses 100 belonging to thenetwork N2.

FIG. 3B shows a first state where the process related to the integrationof the networks N1 and N2 is started. In the first state, thecommunication via the first communication path is started between amaster apparatus M1 of the network N1 and a master apparatus M2 of thenetwork N2. Setting information and network organization information aretransmitted and received between the master apparatuses M1 and M2. FIG.3B shows the example where the master apparatus M1 (the informationprocessing apparatus 100A) of the network N1 and the master apparatus M2(the information processing apparatus 100D) of the network N2 carry outthe communication via the first communication path. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, will be described aprocess related to the communication stabilization approach according tothe embodiment in the example where the master apparatus M1 of thenetwork N1 and the master apparatus M2 of the network N2 carry out thecommunication via the first communication path. Other examples aredescribed below.

Example of Information Transmitted and Received via First CommunicationPath

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example ofinformation transmitted and received via the first communication pathaccording to an embodiment.

The information of the first example transmitted and received via thefirst communication path includes request information 180 requestingcommunication related to the second communication path, settinginformation 182, and network organization information 184.

The request information 180 contains handover RecordType (for example,“Hr” or “Hs”) indicating that a message is used for handover. Here, thehandover indicates a switch action from the communication via the firstcommunication path serving as a first communication method to thecommunication via the second communication path serving as a secondcommunication method (second carrier). When the information processingapparatus 100 receives the request information 180 via the firstcommunication path, the information processing apparatus 100 can graspthat a communication target via the first communication path requests tocarry out communication via the second communication path.

The setting information 182 is information used for an externalapparatus to make connection to the second communication path. Thesetting information 182 includes a header 186 (BT setting) indicatingkinds of information and a payload 188. The payload 188 includes addressinformation (BD address) used for the external apparatus to makeconnection to the second communication path, a passcode (authenticationinformation such as a random number) used for authentication to improvesecurity, and a hash value. However, the present application is notlimited thereto.

When the information processing apparatus 100 transmits the passcode toanother information processing apparatus 100 carrying out thecommunication via the second communication path, the same passcode isshared between the information processing apparatuses 100 belonging tothe other networks. Therefore, security can be further improved, sincethe information processing apparatus 100 performs the authenticationusing the passcode upon starting the communication via the secondcommunication path and selectively performs the communication via thesecond communication path on the basis of the authentication result.Here, the passcode may be a passcode (temporary passcode) which cantemporarily be authenticated normally for a certain period, but theapplication is not limited thereto. When no authentication is performedto improve the security, the information (authentication information)regarding the passcode may not be included in the setting information.

The network organization information 184 is information indicating theorganization of the network to which the information processingapparatus 100 transmitting the network organization information 184belongs. The network organization information 184 includes a header 190(a network organization information identifier) indicating a kind ofinformation and a payload 192. The payload 190 includes designation roleinformation (BT role information) and an external connection list.However, the application is not limited thereto.

The designation role information according to an embodiment refers toinformation (data) indicating a requested role (for example, a master/arole other than the master) in the communication via the secondcommunication path. The information processing apparatus 100 setsinformation, which indicates the role in the communication via thesecond communication path in the network to which this informationprocessing apparatus 100 belongs, as the designation role informationincluded in the network organization information. However, the presentapplication is not limited thereto. For example, the informationprocessing apparatus 100 may set information, which indicating a roledifferent from the role in the network to which this informationprocessing apparatus belongs to, as the designation role informationincluded in the network organization information on the basis of anoperation of the user of the information processing apparatus 100. Thedesignation role information transmitted by the information processingapparatus 100 is used in a role determining process (which is describedbelow) of the other information processing apparatuses 100.

The external connection list refers to information (data) including thesetting information used for an external apparatus to carry outcommunication with another information processing apparatus 100, whichorganizes the network to which the information processing apparatus 100belongs, other than the information processing apparatus 100transmitting the network organization information. When the informationprocessing apparatus 100 transmits the external connection list toanother information processing apparatus 100 carrying out thecommunication via the second communication path, the another informationprocessing apparatus 100 can carry out the communication with theinformation processing apparatuses 100 belonging to another network viathe second communication path.

The information shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted and received between theinformation processing apparatuses 100A and 100D, the informationprocessing apparatuses 100A and 100D can carry out communication withthe information processing apparatuses 100 belonging to another networkvia the second communication path. A specific process will be describedbelow in a case where the information, which is shown in FIG. 4, of thefirst example transmitted and received via the first communication pathis transmitted and received between the information processingapparatuses 100.

The information transmitted and received via the first communicationpath according to an embodiment is not limited to the example shown inFIG. 4. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second exampleof the information transmitted and received via the first communicationpath according to an embodiment.

The information of the second example transmitted and received via thefirst communication path includes the request information 180, thesetting information 182, and the network organization information 194.The request information 180 and the setting information 182 shown inFIG. 5 are the same as the request information 180 and the settinginformation 182 of the first example shown in FIG. 4.

The network organization information 184 includes the header 190(network organization information identifier) and a payload 196. Forexample, the payload 196 includes designation role information and asubsequent list flag. However, the application is not limited thereto.The subsequent list flag according to an embodiment refers information(notification information) notifying whether the external connectionlist is transmitted in subsequent communication. For example, thesubsequent list flag is one-bit data (for example, the externalconnection list is not transmitted in the subsequent communication whenthe subsequent list flag is “0” and the external connection list istransmitted in the subsequent communication when the subsequent listflag “1”). However, the application is not limited thereto.

When the information shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted and received via thefirst communication path between the information processing apparatuses100A and 100D, the external connection list is transmitted and receivedvia the second communication path through which the connection isallowable using the setting information shown in FIG. 4. A specificprocess will be described below in a case where the information, whichis shown in FIG. 5, of the second example transmitted and received viathe first communication path is transmitted and received between theinformation processing apparatuses 100.

The information shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is transmitted and receivedbetween the information processing apparatuses 100A and 100D by thecommunication via the first communication path. Here, the process of(B-1) may be considered as a “process of exchanging an address and aconfirmation” between the information processing apparatuses 100A and100D, for example.

(B-2) Role Determining Process

When the information shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, is transmittedand received via the first communication path by the process of (B-1),the information processing apparatuses 100A and 100D perform a roledetermining process of determining a role in the communication via thesecond communication path in the integrated network. Here, the roledetermining process refers to a process of determining whether theinformation processing apparatus 100 serves as the master apparatus inthe communication via the second communication path in the integratednetwork.

More specifically, the information processing apparatuses 100 performthe role determining process on the basis of the designation roleinformation regarding the information processing apparatus and thenetwork organization and role adjustment information received via thefirst communication path.

Here, the information processing apparatus 100 sets the information (forexample, information indicating the master or slave apparatus), whichindicates the role in the communication via the second communicationpath in the network to which the information processing apparatusbelongs, as the designation role information regarding the informationprocessing apparatus. However, the application is not limited thereto.For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may setinformation, which indicates a role different from the role in thenetwork to which the information processing apparatus belongs, as thedesignation role information regarding the information processingapparatus on the basis of an operation of the user of the informationprocessing apparatus 100.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the roleadjustment information used to perform the role determining process bythe information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.FIG. 6 shows the example of a table regarding the role adjustmentinformation, but the application is not limited thereto.

The information processing apparatus 100 grasps a requested role of theinformation processing apparatus 100 (corresponding to the targetapparatus in FIG. 6) which is a communication target apparatus carryingout the communication via the second communication path on the basis ofthe designation role information (for example, the BT role informationshown in FIGS. 4 and 5) regarding an external apparatus included in thenetwork organization information received via the first communicationpath. The information processing apparatus 100 determines the role,which is performed via the second communication path by the informationprocessing apparatus, by applying the role of the grasped targetapparatus and the requested role of the information processing apparatusgrasped by the designation role information regarding the informationprocessing apparatus to the role adjustment information shown in FIG. 6.

For example, the requested role of the information processing apparatusis matched with the requested role of the target apparatus, theinformation processing apparatus 100 determines the role on the basis ofthe number (corresponding to “the number of information processingapparatuses organizing the network-1”) of external apparatuses connectedto the target apparatus. The information processing apparatus 100 cangrasp the number of external apparatuses connected to the targetapparatus on the basis of the external connection list (in the case ofFIG. 4) included in the network organization information received viathe first communication path or the external connection list (in thecase of FIG. 5) received via the second communication path. Moreover,when the external connection list is received via the secondcommunication path (in the case of FIG. 5), the target apparatus, forexample, temporarily plays the role of the master. Then, the informationprocessing apparatus 100 can acquire the external connection list fromthe target apparatus. However, the application is not limited thereto.

The information processing apparatus 100 can determine the role in thecommunication via the second communication path in the integratednetwork by using the role adjustment information shown in FIG. 6, forexample. The role adjustment information according to the embodiment isnot limited to the example shown in FIG. 6. For example, the roleadjustment information according to the embodiment may further includeinformation regarding a condition related to determination of the rolein a case where the number of external apparatuses connected to theinformation processing apparatus is equal to the number of externalapparatuses connected to the target apparatus. An example of thecondition includes a condition that “the information processingapparatus 100 in charge of a reader/writer in the communication via thefirst communication path serves as the master apparatus” (a case wherethe NFC communication is carried out via the first communication path).However, the application is not limited thereto.

When the information processing apparatuses 100A and 100D perform theabove-described role determining process, one of the informationprocessing apparatuses 100A and 100D plays the role of the master andthe other thereof plays the role of the slave in the communication viathe second communication path in the integrated network.

(C) Second State Related to Integration of Networks (FIG. 3C)

When the roles of the information processing apparatuses 100A and 100Dare determined in the communication via the second communication path bythe process of (B-2), the communication is started via the secondcommunication path between the information processing apparatuses 100Aand 100D on the basis of the determined roles. FIG. 3C shows an examplewhere it is determined by the process of (B-2) that the informationprocessing apparatus 100A plays the role of the slave and theinformation processing apparatus 100D plays the role of the master. Whenthe communication is started via the second communication path betweenthe information processing apparatuses 100A and 100D, as in FIG. 3C, theinformation processing apparatus 100A (serving as the slave apparatusS6) is integrated into the network N2 to form a new network N3. Morespecifically, the state shown in FIG. 3C is realized by the processes of(C-1) and (C-2), which are described below.

(C-1) Process of Preparing Integration of Networks on the Basis ofDetermined Roles

The information processing apparatus 100A determined to play the role ofthe slave by the process of (B-2) on the basis of the determined rolesdisconnects the communication with the slave apparatuses (theinformation processing apparatuses 100B and 100C) organizing the networkN1 via the second communication path (disconnection process).

The information processing apparatus 100A transmits the passcode (forexample, the random number included in the payload 188 shown in FIG. 4)transmitted in the process of (B-1), for example, to the informationprocessing apparatuses 100B and 100C, before the information processingapparatus 100A disconnects the communication via the secondcommunication process. In this way, the information processingapparatuses 100B and 100C playing the role of the slaves in the networkN1 and the information processing apparatus 100D playing the role of themaster in the network N2 can share the same passcode. Therefore, in aprocess of (D-1), which is described below, the information processingapparatuses 100D and the 100B and the information processing apparatus100D and 100C can perform the authentication using the passcode. In thisway, the integration of the networks N1 and N2 can be realized whilemaintaining the security.

The example has been described where the information processingapparatus 100A transmits the passcode transmitted in the process of(B-1) to the information processing apparatuses 100B and 100C (whichcorresponds to an example where a common passcode is set in the networkN1). However, the application is not limited thereto. For example, theinformation processing apparatus 100A may create a separate passcode foreach of the other information processing apparatuses 100 organizing thenetwork N1 and transmits the separate passcode to the correspondinginformation processing apparatus 100.

Here, the information processing apparatus 100A may transmit theexternal connection list including information regarding the passcode tothe information processing apparatus 100D in the process of (B-1).Therefore, even when the information processing apparatus 100A createsthe separate passcode as in the above example, the informationprocessing apparatuses 100D and 100B and the information processingapparatus 100D and 100C can respectively share the same passcode. Evenwhen the information processing apparatus 100A sets the common passcodein the network N1, the information processing apparatus 100A can, ofcourse, transmit the external connection list including the informationregarding the passcode to the information processing apparatus 100D inthe process of (B-1). When no authentication is performed, theinformation processing apparatus 100A does not permit the information(authentication information) regarding the passcode to be included inthe external connection list.

By the disconnection process, the information processing apparatuses100B and 100C organizing the network N1 may not carry out thecommunication with the other information processing apparatuses 100organizing the network N1 via the second communication path. That is, bythe disconnection process, the network N1 does not function as thestar-type network.

When the role of the master is performed in the process of (B-2), theinformation processing apparatus 100D maintains the communication withthe slave apparatuses (the information processing apparatuses 100E,100F, and 100G) organizing the network N2 via the second communicationpath.

(C-2) Pairing Process in Second Communication Path

The information processing apparatus 100D playing the role of the masterand the information processing apparatus 100A playing the role of theslave perform a pairing process in the communication via the secondcommunication path. Here, the pairing process is realized by thefollowing processes, for example, in the communication via the secondcommunication path. The communication via the second communication pathbetween the information processing apparatuses 100A and 100D is carriedout by a frequency hopping pattern determined by the informationprocessing apparatus 100D playing the role of the master.

Example of Pairing Process

Exchange of Public Key (Sharing of Common Key)

The information processing apparatus 100 transmits information regardinga packeted public key (for example, 192-bit elliptic code) to aconnecting target apparatus in the communication via the secondcommunication path on the basis of address information (for example, theBD address shown in FIG. 4) included in a packet received via the firstcommunication path. The information processing apparatus 100 calculatesa common key on the basis of the information regarding the public keytransmitted by the information processing apparatus 100 of a connectiondestination, as described above (Diffie-Hellman key exchange method).

Authentication Process

The information processing apparatus 100 exchanges a confirmation withthe information processing apparatus 100 of the connection destinationvia the second communication path and confirms that the communicationtarget is appropriate.

Creating of Link Key

The information processing apparatus 100 creates the link key, which isinformation used for authentication in the communication subsequent to asecond time.

By the pairing of the process (C-2), the information processingapparatuses 100A and 100D are in a state where the transmission andreception of data via the second communication path can be performedarbitrarily. The pairing between the information processing apparatuses100A and the 100D may be understood as the series of processes of (B-1)and (C-2) related to the communication via the first communication path.When the pairing is understood as the series of processes, the pairingmay be understood as a pairing method corresponding to an OOB(OutOfBand) method, which is one of SSP (Secure Simple Pairing)authentication methods. Of course, the pairing method according to theembodiment is not limited to the method corresponding to the OOB method.

When the information processing apparatuses 100A and 100D perform theprocesses of (C-1) and (C-2), the state shown in FIG. 3C is realized.

(D) Integrated State (FIG. 3D)

The new star-type network N3 is organized by integrating the informationprocessing apparatus 100A organizing the network N1 into the network N2in the process of (C) (FIG. 3C). However, as shown in FIG. 3C, theinformation processing apparatuses 100B and 100C organizing the networkN1 do not organize the network N3. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG.3, it is not considered that the networks N1 and N2 are integrated intoeach other.

In order to integrate the networks N1 and N2, the information processingapparatus 100D playing the role of the master in the network N3 performsthe following process of (D-1), for example.

(D-1) Connection Process via Second Communication Path

On the basis of the network organization information acquired from theinformation processing apparatus 100A in the process of (B-1), theinformation processing apparatus 100D makes connection to theinformation processing apparatuses 100B and 100C by using thecommunication via the second communication path. More specifically, theinformation processing apparatus 100D takes out the setting informationfrom the external connection list included in the network organizationinformation acquired from the information processing apparatus 100A inorder to carry out the communication with each of the informationprocessing apparatuses 100B and 100C via the second communication path.On the basis of the setting information, the information processingapparatus 100D carries out the communication with each of theinformation processing apparatuses 100B and 100C via the secondcommunication path. Here, examples of the setting information includedin the external connection list include the address information (BDaddress) or the address information (BD address) and the passcode(random number). However, the application is not limited thereto.

By the process of (D-1), data can be transmitted and receivedarbitrarily via the second communication path between the informationprocessing apparatuses 100D and 100B and between the informationprocessing apparatuses 100D and 100C. By the process of (B-1) and theprocess of (C-1), the same passcode is shared between the informationprocessing apparatuses 100D and 100B and between the informationprocessing apparatuses 100D and 100C. Therefore, the informationprocessing apparatus 100D authenticates the information processingapparatuses 100B and 100C by using the passcode so as to transmits andreceive data arbitrarily.

By the process of (D-1), the information processing apparatuses 100B and100C organizing the network N1 organize a new star-type network N4 intowhich the network N3 is integrated (FIG. 3D).

As shown in FIG. 3D, the network N4 corresponds to a star-type networkin which the networks N1 and N2 shown in FIG. 3A are integrated intoeach other. That is, the processes of (B-1) to (D-1) are performedbetween the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the firstnetwork and the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing thesecond network to realize the star-type network.

By performing the process related to the communication stabilizationapproach according to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce thepossibility that unintended communication failure occurs, compared tothe case of the scatternet or the case of using the technology accordingto the known example. Moreover, by performing the process related to thecommunication stabilization approach according to the embodiment, thecomplexity of the process related to the communication is reduced,compared to the case of the scatternet. Therefore, it possible torealize an application, such as a game using the communication via thesecond communication path, using the communication via the secondcommunication path between the information processing apparatuses.

Accordingly, by performing the process related to the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment, it is possible tocarry out more stable communication between any of the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the integrated network, as well ascommunication between the information processing apparatuses belongingto different star-type networks.

Specific Example of Process Related to Communication StabilizationApproach

Next, the above-described process related to the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment will be described inmore detail. Hereinafter, a case will be described where the networks N1and N2 shown in FIG. 3A are integrated into one start-type network.Communication other than the steps specified as communication via the“first communication path” will be described below as communication viathe “second communication path”. Hereinafter, it is assumed that thenetwork N1 is referred to as a “first network” and the network N2 isreferred to as a “second network”. Of course, the network N1 may bereferred to as the “second network” and the network N2 may be referredto as the “first network”.

[1] First Example of Process Related to Communication StabilizationApproach

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of theprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows anexample of the process (the process related to the communicationstabilization approach) in which the master apparatus M1 (theinformation processing apparatus 100A) of the network N1 shown in FIG.3A carries out the communication with the master M2 (the informationprocessing apparatus 100D) of the network N2 via the first communicationpath.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the example of theprocess shown in FIG. 7. Hereinafter, the first example of the processrelated to the communication stabilization approach will be describedappropriately with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C.

In the first example of the process related to the communicationstabilization approach described with reference to FIG. 7, the masterapparatus of the network N1 is referred to as the “master apparatus(100A)” and the slave apparatuses of the network N1 are referred to asthe “slave apparatuses (100B and 100C). In the first example of theprocess related to the communication stabilization approach describedwith reference to FIG. 7, the master apparatus of the network N2 isreferred to as the “master apparatus (100D)” and the slave apparatusesof the network N1 are referred to as the “slave apparatuses (100E to100G)”.

The master apparatus (100A) creates the external connection list relatedto the first network (S100: a process of creating the externalconnection list).

FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of theexternal connection list according to the embodiment. FIG. 9A shows anexample of the setting information used for an external apparatus tomake connection to the information processing apparatuses 100B and 100Corganizing the network N1 via the second communication path, and shows acase where the setting information is the BD address. FIG. 9B shows anexample of the passcode used for the authentication when thecommunication is carried out with the information processing apparatuses100B and 100C organizing the network N1 via the second communicationpath.

Since the master apparatus (100A) is the master apparatus of the networkN1, the master apparatus (100A) stores information used to carry out thecommunication with the information processing apparatuses 100B and 100Cserving as the slave apparatuses via the second communication path.Therefore, the master apparatus (100A) can create the settinginformation shown in FIG. 9A by using the stored information. Moreover,when the master apparatus (100A) stores the setting information shown inFIG. 9A in advance, the master apparatus (100A) may include the storedsetting information in the external connection list.

The master apparatus (100A) creates the passcode shown in FIG. 9B bygenerating a random number, for example. Here, the master apparatus(100A) creates the passcode by generating the random number under thecondition of a predetermined number generation such as setting of themaximum number of bits. However, the present application is not limitedthereto. FIG. 9B shows the example where the master apparatus (100A)creates a common passcode of the information processing apparatuses 100Band 100C. However, the application is not limited thereto. For example,the master apparatus (100A) may create a unique passcode (a uniquepasscode of each address shown in FIG. 9A) of each of the slaveapparatuses belonging to the network N1.

The master apparatus (100A) may create the setting information shown inFIG. 9A or the external connection list including the settinginformation shown in FIG. 9A and the passcode show in FIG. 9B, forexample, by the above-described process.

The first example of the process related to the communicationstabilization approach will be described again with reference to FIG. 7.When the master apparatus (100A) performs the process of creating theexternal connection list in step S100, the master apparatus (100A)transmits the information such as first setting information and firstnetwork organization information to the master apparatus (100D) via thefirst communication path (S102).

Here, the information transmitted in step S102 corresponds to theinformation shown in FIG. 4, for example. The first setting informationtransmitted in step S102 corresponds to the setting information 182shown in FIG. 4. The first network organization information transmittedin step S102 corresponds to the setting information 184 shown in FIG. 4.The external connection list created in step S100 is included in thefirst network organization information.

The master apparatus (100D) receiving the information transmitted viathe first communication path from the master apparatus (100A) in stepS102 creates the external connection list (S104: a process of creatingthe external connection list).

FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of theexternal connection list according to the embodiment. FIG. 10A shows anexample of the setting information used for an external apparatus tomake connection to the information processing apparatuses 100E, 100F,and 100G organizing the network N2 via the second communication path,and shows a case where the setting information is the BD address. FIG.10B shows an example of the passcode used for the authentication whenthe communication is carried out with the information processingapparatuses 100E, 100F, and 100G organizing the network N2 via thesecond communication path.

Since the master apparatus (100D) is the master apparatus of the networkN2, as in the master apparatus (100A), the master apparatus (100D) cancreate the setting information shown in FIG. 10A, by using the storedinformation. Moreover, when the master apparatus (100D) stores thesetting information shown in FIG. 10A in advance, the master apparatus(100D) may include the stored setting information in the externalconnection list.

The master apparatus (100D) creates the passcode shown in FIG. 10B bygenerating a random number, for example, as in the master apparatus(100A). FIG. 10B shows the example where the master apparatus (100D)creates a common passcode of the information processing apparatuses100E, 100F and 100G. However, the application is not limited thereto.For example, the master apparatus (100D) may create a unique passcode (aunique passcode for each address shown in FIG. 10A) for each of theslave apparatuses belonging to the network N2.

The master apparatus (100D) may create the setting information shown inFIG. 10A or the external connection list including the settinginformation shown in FIG. 10A and the passcode show in FIG. 10B, forexample, by the above-described process.

The first example of the process related to the communicationstabilization approach will be described again with reference to FIG. 7.The master apparatus (100D) receiving the information transmitted viathe first communication path from the master apparatus (100A) in stepS102 performs the role determining process on the basis of the receivedinformation (S106). Here, the master apparatus (100D) determines therole in the communication via the second communication path with themaster apparatus (100A) by performing the process of (B-2), for example.

More specifically, the master apparatus (100D) grasps the requested roleof the information processing apparatus on the basis of the designationrole information regarding the information processing apparatus, forexample. The master apparatus (100D) grasps the requested role of themaster (100A) on the basis of the designation role information includedin the received first network organization information. The masterapparatus (100D) determines the role in the communication via the secondcommunication path with the master apparatus (100A) on the basis of therole adjustment information (for example, see FIG. 6). For example, whenthe master apparatus (100D) makes a request for the master apparatus andthe master apparatus (100A) also makes a request for the masterapparatus, the master apparatus (100D) is determined as the masterapparatus due to the fact that the master apparatus (100D) makesconnection with the more external apparatuses than the master apparatus(100A). Hereinafter, a case will be described where the master apparatus(100D) is determined to play the role of the master in the communicationwith the master apparatus (100A) via the second communication path instep S106.

FIG. 7 shows the example where the master apparatus (100D) performs theprocess of step S106 after the process of step S104. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. For example, the master apparatus(100D) may separately perform the process of step S104 and the processof step S106. In the above case, since the master apparatus (100D) canperform the process of step S104 after the process of step S106, themaster apparatus (100D) may perform the process of step S106 insynchronization with the start of the process of step S104.

When the master apparatus (100D) performs the processes of steps S104and S106, the master apparatus (100D) transmits the information such assecond setting information and the second network organizationinformation to the master apparatus (100A) via the first communicationpath (S108).

Here, the information transmitted in step S108 corresponds to theinformation shown in FIG. 4, for example. The second setting informationtransmitted in step S108 corresponds to the setting information 182shown in FIG. 4. The second network organization information transmittedin step S108 corresponds to the setting information 184 shown in FIG. 4.The external connection list created in step S104 is included in thesecond network organization information.

FIG. 7 shows the example where the master apparatus (100D) performs theprocess of step S108 after the process of step S106. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. For example, the master apparatus(100D) may separately perform the process of step S106 and the processof step S108. In the above case, since the master apparatus (100D) canperform the process of step S106 after the process of step S108, themaster apparatus (100D) may perform the process of step S108 insynchronization with the start of the process of step S106.

The master apparatus (100D) can also transmit the result of the processof step S106, that is, the information regarding the role determined bythe master apparatus (100D) in step S108. The master apparatus (100D)may include the result (that is, determination role informationregarding the determined role) of the process of step S106 in the secondnetwork organization information, when the designation role informationis substituted. In the above case, the master apparatus (100A) receivingthe information regarding the role determined by the master apparatus(100D) via the first communication path can grasp the role determined bythe master apparatus (100D) by using the received information. Forexample, when the master apparatus (100D) is determined to play the roleof the master, the master apparatus (100A) is determined to play therole of the slave. In this way, it is possible to simplify the roledetermining process in step S110, which is described below. Here, thesimplification of the role determining process refers to a process inwhich the role of the information processing apparatus 100 can bedetermined using the role adjustment information (for example, FIG. 6).

The master apparatus (100A) receiving the information transmitted viathe first communication path from the master apparatus (100D) in stepS108 performs the role determining process on the basis of the receivedinformation (S110). Here, the master apparatus (100A) determines therole in the communication via the second communication path with themaster apparatus (100D) by performing the process of (B-2), like theprocess of step S106 in the master apparatus (100D). However, theapplication is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, example will be described where the master apparatus (100A)is determined to play the role of the slave in the communication via thesecond communication path with the master apparatus (100D) in theprocess of step S110.

When the master apparatus (100A) determined to play the role of theslave in step S110 transmits the temporary passcode to the slaveapparatuses (100B and 100C) of the network N1 (S112). Here, thetemporary passcode transmitted in step S112 by the master apparatus(100A) corresponds to the passcode (for example, see FIG. 9B) includedin the external connection list of the first network organizationinformation transmitted in step S102. Therefore, in the process of stepS112, the master apparatus (100D) and the slave apparatuses (100B and100C) share the same passcode. FIG. 7 shows the example of a temporarypasscode (for example, a temporary passcode that is an authenticationnormally for a certain period). However, the application is not limitedthereto.

When the master apparatus (100A) transmits the temporary passcode instep S112, the master apparatus (100A) disconnects the communication viathe second communication path with the slave apparatuses (100B and 100C)(S114: a process of disconnecting the second communication path).

The master apparatus (100D) determined to play the role of the master instep S106 starts the communication via the second communication pathwith the master apparatus (100A) (S116: a process of connecting thesecond communication path). Here, the master apparatus (100D) performsthe process of step S116 after a predetermined period after thecompletion of the process of step s108, for example, to ensure a timeduring which the master apparatus (100A) as the communication targetperforms the processes from step S110 to S114. The application is notlimited thereto.

By performing the process of step S114 by the master apparatus (100A)and the process of step S116 by the master apparatus (100D), the state(the state before the integration of the networks N1 and N2) shown inFIG. 3A is changed to the state shown in FIG. 8A. Here, a portionindicated by a dashed line in FIG. 8A represents the communicationrelated to the process of step S114 and the process of step S116. In thefollowing description, the same applies to FIGS. 8B and 8C, FIGS. 12A to12C, and FIGS. 14B and 14C described below.

When the communication via the second communication path with the masterapparatus (100A) is started in step S116, the master apparatus (100D)starts the communication via the second communication path with theslave apparatuses (100B and 100C) (S118: a process of connecting thesecond communication path).

Here, the master apparatus (100D) acquires the setting information (forexample, see FIG. 9A) used for the communication via the secondcommunication path with the slave apparatuses (100B and 100C) from themaster apparatus (100A) in step S102. Therefore, the master apparatus(100D) can make the connection via the second communication path withthe slave apparatuses (100B and 100C) by using the setting information.

The master apparatus (100D) and the slave apparatuses (100B and 100C)store the same temporary passcode in the process of step S102 and theprocess of step S112. Therefore, the master apparatus (100D) and theslave apparatuses (100B and 100C) can start the securer communicationvia the second communication path through the authentication using thetemporary passcode.

The state shown in FIG. 8A is changed to the state shown in FIG. 8B,that is, the state where the networks N1 and N2 are integrated into onestar-type network, by the process of step S118 by the master apparatus(100D).

FIG. 7 shows the example where the master apparatus (100D) performs theprocess of step S118 after the process of step S116. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. For example, the master apparatus(100D) may separately perform the process of step S116 and the processof step S118. In the above case, the master apparatus (100D) may performthe process of step S116 after the process of step S118 or may performthe process of step S118 in synchronization with the start of theprocess of step S116. Even in the above case, the networks N1 and N2shown in FIG. 8B are integrated into one star-type network.

Two star-type networks are integrated into one star-type network byperforming the process of step S100 to the process of step S118 betweenthe information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the first networkand the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the secondnetwork.

The master apparatus (100D) playing the role of the master in theintegrated network and the any information processing apparatus 100playing the role of the slave in the integrated network can arbitrarilyperform the communication via the second communication path. Moreover,one information processing apparatus 100 playing the role of the slavein the integrated network and another information processing apparatus100 playing the role of the slave can arbitrarily perform thecommunication via the second communication path through the masterapparatus (100D).

In this way, communication via the second communication path is carriedout between any of the information processing apparatuses among themaster apparatus (100A), the slave apparatuses (100B and 100C), themaster apparatus (100D), and the slave apparatuses (100E to 100G)(S120). Here, examples of the communication via the second communicationpath in step S120 include communication, such as a game using thecommunication via the second communication path, related to theexecution of an application using the communication via the secondcommunication path between the information processing apparatuses.However, the application is not limited thereto. For example, thecommunication via the second communication path in step S120 may becommunication related to transmission and reception of various kinds ofdata such as image data of moving images/still images and voice data.

For example, when the application using the communication via the secondcommunication path between the information processing apparatuses ends,the integration of the networks can be cancelled. Hereinafter, anexample where the integrated network is cancelled will be described.

The master apparatus (100D) playing the role of the master in theintegrated network performs a process of disconnecting the communicationvia the second communication path with the master apparatus (100A)belonging to the different network N1 (S122: a process of disconnectingthe second communication path). The master apparatus (100D) disconnectsthe communication via the second communication path with the slaveapparatuses (100B and 100C) belonging to the different network N1 (S124:a process of disconnecting the second communication path).

FIG. 7 shows the example where the master apparatus (100D) performs theprocess of step S124 after the process of step S122. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. For example, the master apparatus(100D) may separately perform the process of step S122 and the processof step S124. In the above case, the master apparatus (100D) may performthe process of step S122 after the process of step S124 or may performthe process of step S124 in synchronization with the process of stepS122.

By performing the process of step S122 and the process of step S124 bythe master apparatus (100D), the state where the networks N1 and N2shown in FIG. 8B are integrated into one star-type network is changed tothe state shown in FIG. 8C.

When the communication via the second communication path between themaster apparatus (100D) and the slave apparatuses (100B and 100C) isdisconnected in the process of step S124, the master apparatus (100D)deletes the link key created using the temporary passcode in the processof step S118 (S126). The slave apparatuses (100B and 100C) with whichthe communication via the second communication path is disconnected fromthe master apparatus (100D) delete the link key created using thetemporary passcode received from the master apparatus (100A) in theprocess of step S112 (S128).

Here, the link key is automatically created using the temporary passcodeby each of the master apparatus (100D) and the slave apparatuses (100Band 100C). Therefore, in order to improve security, the link key ispreferably used to allow the master apparatus (100D) and the slaveapparatuses (100B and 100C) to make the temporary connection to eachother. In FIG. 7, that is, the process of step S126 in the masterapparatus (100D) and the process of step S128 in the slave apparatuses(100B and 100C) are processes performed to improve the security.

For example, when persistent connection is allowed between the masterapparatus (100D) and the slave apparatuses (100B and 100C) by anoperation of a user, the process of step S126 and the process of stepS128 may not be performed.

In this way, by performing the processes shown in FIG. 7, it is possibleto integrate two star-type networks into one star-type network betweenthe information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the first networkand the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the secondnetwork. Therefore, through the processes of the first example of thecommunication stabilization approach shown in FIG. 7, it is possible toreduce the possibility that unintended communication failure occurs,compared to the case of the scatternet or the case where the technologyaccording to the known example is used. Moreover, since the complexityof the processes related to communication is reduced by the processes ofthe first example of the communication stabilization approach incomparison to the case of the scatternet, it is possible to more easilyrealize an application, such as a game using the communication via thesecond communication path, using the communication via the secondcommunication path between the information processing apparatuses.

By performing the processes of the first example of the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment, it is possible tocarry out more stable communication between any of the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the integrated network, as well as thecommunication between the information processing apparatuses belongingto different star-type networks.

[2] Second Example of Process Related to Communication StabilizationApproach

In the process of the first example of the communication stabilizationapproach, the master apparatus M1 (the information processing apparatus100A) of the network N1 shown in FIG. 3A carries out the communicationvia the first communication path with the master apparatus M2 (theinformation processing apparatus 100D) of the network N2. However, theprocess related to the communication stabilization approach according tothe embodiment is not limited to the processes in the case where themaster apparatus of the first network carries out the communication viathe first communication path with the master apparatus of the secondnetwork. Next, as a process of a second example of the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment, a process performedby the slave apparatus of the first network to carry out communicationvia the first communication path with the master apparatus of the secondnetwork will be exemplified.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the second example of theprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment. Here, FIG. 11 showsan example of a part of a process (the process related to thecommunication stabilization approach) when the slave apparatus S1 (theinformation processing apparatus 100B) of the network N1 shown in FIG.3A carries out the communication via the first communication path withthe master apparatus M2 (the information processing apparatus 100D) ofthe network N2.

FIGS. 12A to 12D are explanatory diagrams supplementarily illustratingan example of the process shown in FIG. 11. Hereinafter, the secondexample of the process related to the communication stabilizationapproach will be described appropriately with reference to FIGS. 12A to12D.

In the second example of the process related to the communicationstabilization approach described with reference to FIG. 11, the masterapparatus of the network N1 is referred to as the “the master apparatus(100A)” and the master apparatus of the network N2 is referred to as the“master apparatus (100D)”. In the second example of the process relatedto the communication stabilization approach described with reference toFIG. 11, the slave apparatus S1 of the network N1 is referred to as the“slave apparatus (100B)” and the slave apparatus S2 of the network N1 isreferred to as the “slave apparatus (100C)”.

The slave apparatus (100B) transmits an external connection listacquiring request (acquiring request) to request the transmission of theexternal connection list to the master apparatus (100A) (S200). Here,the creation of the external connection list regarding the network N1 isa process that can be performed by the master apparatus (100A) playingthe role of the master in the network N1. The slave apparatus (100B)playing the role of the slave may not (directly) create the externalconnection list. This is because the slave apparatus (100B) may notcarry out the direct communication via the second communication pathwith the slave apparatus (100C), which is another slave apparatus of thenetwork N1. When the slave apparatus (100B) transmits the externalconnection list acquiring request to request the transmission of theexternal connection list to the master apparatus (100A) in step S200,the slave apparatus (100B) acquires the external connection listregarding the network N1.

The master apparatus (100A) receiving the external connection listacquiring request transmitted from the slave apparatus (100B) in stepS200 creates the external connection list in reply to the externalconnection list acquiring request (S202: a process of creating theexternal connection list).

The master apparatus (100A) creates setting information by substitutingthe information of the information processing apparatus 100B by theinformation of the information processing apparatus 100A among thesetting information shown in FIG. 9A, and includes the created settinginformation in the external connection list. The master apparatus (100A)creates the same passcode as that shown in FIG. 9B and further includesthe created passcode in the external connection list. Hereinafter, anexample will be described where the master apparatus (100A) creates thepasscode in reply to the received external connection list acquiringrequest and includes the created passcode in the external connectionlist. Hereinafter, it will be described about an example where thepasscode created by the master apparatus (100A) is a temporary passcode.The passcode in the process of the second example of the communicationstabilization approach may be a unique passcode for the network N1 ormay be a unique passcode for each of the information processingapparatuses 100 organizing the network N1.

The master apparatus (100A) creating the external connection list instep S202 transmits the external connection list to the slave apparatus(100B) (S204). The master apparatus (100A) transmits the temporarypasscode created in step S202 to the slave apparatus (100C) (S206).

FIG. 11 shows the example where the master apparatus (100A) performs theprocess of step S206 after the process of step S204. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. For example, the master apparatus(100A) may separately perform the process of step S204 and the processof step S206. In the above case, the master apparatus (100A) may performthe process of step S204 after the process of step S206 or may performthe process of step S206 in synchronization with the start of theprocess of step S204.

When the master apparatus (100A) transmits the temporary passcode to theslave apparatus (100C) in step S206, the master apparatus (100A)disconnects the communication via the second communication path with theslave apparatus (100C) (S206: a process of disconnecting the secondcommunication path).

The master apparatus (100A) performs a role switching process ofswitching the role of the network N1 with the slave apparatus (100B)(S210). In the process of step S210, the slave apparatus (100B) becomesa new master apparatus playing the role of the master apparatus of thenetwork N1 and the master apparatus (100A) becomes a new slave apparatusplaying the role of the slave.

By performing the above-described processes from step S200 to S210, thestate (initial state) of the network N1 shown in FIG. 12A is changed tothe state shown in FIG. 12B.

The slave apparatus (100B) becoming the new master apparatus of thenetwork N1 in step S210 starts the communication via the secondcommunication path with the slave apparatus (100C) (S212: a process ofconnecting the second communication path). Here, the slave apparatus(100B) can perform the process of step S212 by using the externalconnection list acquired in step S204.

By performing the process of step S212, the state shown in FIG. 12B ischanged to a state shown in FIG. 12C, that is, a state where a newstar-type network N1′ in which the information processing apparatus 100playing the role of the master is switched from the network N1.

Here, “a case (FIG. 12D) where the information processing apparatus 100Bcarries out the communication via the first communication path with themaster apparatus (100D) of the network N2 via the first communicationpath after the new network N1” corresponds to “the case (FIG. 3B) wherethe master apparatus of the first network carries out the communicationwith the master apparatus of the second network via the firstcommunication path”.

By performing the process of the first example of the same communicationstabilization approach as that in FIG. 7, for example, after theprocesses from step S200 to step S212, two star-type networks can beintegrated into one star-type network. In FIG. 11, the processcorresponding to the process of the first example of the communicationstabilization approach is omitted.

In the process of the second example of the communication stabilizationapproach according to an embodiment, the slave apparatus of the firstnetwork is switched to the new master apparatus. In the process of thesecond example of the communication stabilization approach, the switchednew master apparatus in the first network carries out the communicationvia the first communication path with the master apparatus of the secondnetwork. That is, in the process of the second example of thecommunication stabilization approach, the same process as the process ofthe first example of the communication stabilization approach is carriedout between the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing thefirst network and the information processing apparatuses 100 organizingthe second network. Therefore, by performing the process of the secondexample of the communication stabilization approach, like the process ofthe first example of the communication stabilization approach, it ispossible to reduce the possibility that unintended communication failureoccurs, compared to the case of the scatternet or the case where thetechnology according to the known example is used. Since the complexityof the process related to the communication is further reduced by theprocess of the second example of the communication stabilizationapproach, compared to the case of the scatternet, it is possible to moreeasily realize an application using the communication via the secondcommunication path between the information processing apparatuses, forexample.

By performing the processes of the second example of the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment, it is possible tocarry out more stable communication between any of the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the integrated network, as well as thecommunication between the information processing apparatuses belongingto the different star-type networks.

[3] Third Example of Process Related to Communication StabilizationApproach

In the processes of the first and second examples of the communicationstabilization approach, the master apparatus (including the masterapparatus after the role is switched) of the first network carries outthe communication via the first communication path with the masterapparatus of the second network. However, the process related to thecommunication stabilization approach according to an embodiment is notlimited to the processes in the case where the master apparatus of thefirst network carries out the communication via the first communicationpath with the master apparatus of the second network. Next, as a processof a third example of the communication stabilization approach accordingto an embodiment, a process performed by the master apparatus of thefirst network to carry out the communication via the first communicationpath with the slave apparatus of the second network will be exemplified.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the third example of theprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment. Here, FIG. 13 showsan example of a process (the process related to the communicationstabilization approach) when the master apparatus M1 (the informationprocessing apparatus 100A) of the network N1 shown in FIG. 3A carriesout the communication via the first communication path with the slaveapparatus S3 (the information processing apparatus 100E) of the networkN2.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are explanatory diagrams supplementarily illustratingan example of the process shown in FIG. 13. Hereinafter, the thirdexample of the process related to the communication stabilizationapproach will be described appropriately with reference to FIGS. 14A to14C.

In the third example of the process related to the communicationstabilization approach described with reference to FIG. 13, the masterapparatus of the network N1 is referred to as the “the master apparatus(100A)” and the slave apparatuses of the network N1 are referred to asthe “slave apparatuses (100B and 100C)”. In the third example of theprocess related to the communication stabilization approach describedwith reference to FIG. 13, the master apparatus of the network N2 isreferred to as the “master apparatus (100D)”. In the third example ofthe process related to the communication stabilization approachdescribed with reference to FIG. 13, the slave apparatus S3 of thenetwork N2 is referred to as the “slave apparatus (100E)” and the slaveapparatuses S4 and S5 of the network N2 are referred to as the “slaveapparatuses (100F and 100G)”.

The master apparatus (100A) creates the external connection list relatedto the first network, as in step S100 of FIG. 7 (S300: a process ofcreating the external connection list).

When the master apparatus (100A) performs the process of creating theexternal connection list in step S300, the master apparatus (100A)transmits information such as the first setting information and thefirst network organization information to the slave apparatus (100E) viathe first communication path, as in step S102 of FIG. 7 (S302, FIG.14A).

The slave apparatus (100E) receiving the information transmitted fromthe master apparatus (100A) via the first communication path in stepS302 transmits the external connection list acquiring request to themaster apparatus (100D) as in step S200 of FIG. 11 (S304).

The master apparatus (100D) receiving the external connection listacquiring request transmitted from the slave apparatus (100E) in stepS304 creates the external connection list in reply to the externalconnection list acquiring request (S306: a process of creating theexternal connection list).

FIG. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of theexternal connection list according to an embodiment. FIG. 15A shows anexample of setting information used for an external apparatus to makeconnection to the information processing apparatuses 100D, 100F, and100G organizing the network N2 via the second communication path andshows a case where the setting information is the BD address. FIG. 15Bshows an example of the passcode used for the authentication when thecommunication via the second communication path is carried out with theinformation processing apparatuses 100E, 100F, and 100G organizing thenetwork N2. FIG. 15B shows the example where the master apparatus (100D)creates the common passcode of the information processing apparatuses100D, 100F, and 100G. However, the application is not limited thereto.For example, the master apparatus (100D) may create a unique passcode ofeach address shown in FIG. 15A. Hereinafter, a case will be describedwhere the passcode created by the master apparatus (100D) is a temporarypasscode.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the master apparatus (100D) creates the externalconnection list including the setting information used for the externalapparatus to carry out the communication with the information processingapparatuses 100 organizing the network N2 other than the slave apparatus(100E) receiving the first setting information and the first networkorganization information.

The master apparatus (100D) creating the external connection list instep S304 transmits the external connection list to the slave apparatus(100E) (S308).

The slave apparatus (100E) receiving the external connection listtransmitted from the master apparatus (100D) in step S308 performs therole determining process as in step S106 of FIG. 7 (S310). Hereinafter,a case will be described where the slave apparatus (100E) is determinedto play the role of the slave in the communication via the secondcommunication path with the master apparatus (100A) in step S310.

FIG. 13 shows the example where the slave apparatus (100E) performs theprocess of step S310 after the process of step S304. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. For example, the slave apparatus(100E) may separately perform the process of step S304 and the processof step S310. In the above case, the slave apparatus (100E) may performthe process of step S304 after the process of step S310 or may performthe process of step S310 in synchronization with the start of theprocess of step S304.

The slave apparatus (100E) receiving the external connection listtransmitted from the master apparatus (100D) in step S308 transmitsinformation such as third setting information and the second networkorganization information to the master apparatus (100A) via the firstcommunication path (S312).

Here, the information transmitted in step S312 corresponds to theinformation shown in FIG. 4, for example. The third setting informationtransmitted in step S312 corresponds to the setting information 182shown in FIG. 4. The second network organization information transmittedin step S312 corresponds to the setting information 184 shown in FIG. 4.The second network organization information includes the externalconnection list transmitted from the master apparatus (100D) in stepS308.

The master apparatus (100A) receiving the information transmitted fromthe slave apparatus (100E) via the first communication path in step S314performs the role determining process on the basis of the receivedinformation as in step S110 of FIG. 7 (S314). Hereinafter, a case willbe described where the master apparatus (100A) is determined to play therole of the master in the communication via the second communicationpath with each of the information processing apparatuses 100 of thenetwork N2 in step S314.

The master apparatus (100D) transmitting the external connection list instep S308 transmits the temporary passcode created in step S306 to theslave apparatuses (100F and 100G) (S316). Subsequently, the masterapparatus (100D) disconnects the communication via the secondcommunication path with the slave apparatuses (100F and 100G) (S318: aprocess of disconnecting the second communication path). The masterapparatus (100D) also disconnects the communication via the secondcommunication path with the slave apparatus (100E) (S320: a process ofdisconnecting the second communication path). The sequence of theprocesses of step S318 and S320 performed by the master apparatus (100D)is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 13.

By performing the processes from step S318 to S320 performed by themaster apparatus (100D), the state shown in FIG. 14A is changed to thestate shown in FIG. 14B.

The master apparatus (100A) determined to play the role of the master instep S314 starts the communication via the second communication pathwith each of the slave apparatus (100E), the master apparatus (100D),and the slave apparatuses (100F and 100G) (S322 to S326: a process ofconnecting the second communication path). Here, since the masterapparatus (100A) permits the master apparatus (100D) of the network N2to ensure time to perform the processes of steps S316 to S320, theprocesses of steps S322 to S326 are performed after expiration of apredetermined time after the completion of the process of step S314.However, the application is not limited thereto. The sequence of theprocesses of steps S322 to S326 performed by the master apparatus (100A)is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 13.

By performing the processes of steps S322 to S326 performed by themaster apparatus (100A), the state shown in FIG. 14B is changed to astate shown in FIG. 14C, that is, a state where the networks N1 and N2are integrated into one star-type network.

By performing the process of steps S300 to the process of step S326between the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the firstnetwork and the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing thesecond network, two star-type networks are integrated into one star-typenetwork.

As a consequence, it is possible to realize the communication via thesecond communication path between any of the information processingapparatuses among the master apparatus (100A), the slave apparatuses(100B and 100C), the master apparatus (100D), the slave apparatus(100E), and the slave apparatuses (100F and 100G) (S328).

In this way, by performing the processes shown in FIG. 13, it ispossible to integrate two star-type networks into one star-type networkbetween the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the firstnetwork and the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing thesecond network. Therefore, through the processes of the third example ofthe communication stabilization approach shown in FIG. 13, like theprocesses of the first example of the communication stabilizationapproach, it is possible to reduce the possibility that unintendedcommunication failure occurs, compared to the case of the scatternet orthe case where the technology according to the known example is used.Moreover, since the complexity of the processes related to thecommunication is reduced by the processes of the third example of thecommunication stabilization approach in comparison to the case of thescatternet, it is possible to more easily realize an application, suchas a game using the communication via the second communication path,using the communication via the second communication path between theinformation processing apparatuses.

By performing the processes of the third example of the communicationstabilization approach according to an embodiment, it is possible tocarry out more stable communication between any of the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the integrated network, as well ascommunication between the information processing apparatuses belongingto the different star-type networks.

[4] Fourth Example of Process Related to Communication StabilizationApproach

Through the processes of the third example of the communicationstabilization approach, the slave apparatus of the second networkcarries out the communication via the first communication path with themaster apparatus of the first network. For example, the slave apparatustransmits the network organization information 184 including theexternal connection list shown in FIG. 4. However, the informationtransmitted in the communication via the first communication path fromthe slave apparatus of the second network to the master apparatus of thefirst network is not limited to the information including the networkorganization information 184 shown in FIG. 4. Next, as a process of afourth example of the communication stabilization approach according tothe embodiment, another process performed by the master apparatus of thefirst network to carry out the communication via the first communicationpath with the slave apparatus of the second network will be described.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the fourth example of theprocess (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment. Here, FIG. 16 showsan example of a process (the process related to the communicationstabilization approach) when the master apparatus M1 (the informationprocessing apparatus 100A) of the network N1 shown in FIG. 3A carriesout the communication via the first communication path with the slaveapparatus S3 (the information processing apparatus 100E) of the networkN2, as in FIG. 13.

In the fourth example of the process related to the communicationstabilization approach described with reference to FIG. 16, the masterapparatus of the network N1 is referred to as the “the master apparatus(100A)” and the slave apparatuses of the network N1 are referred to asthe “slave apparatuses (100B and 100C)”. In the fourth example of theprocess related to the communication stabilization approach describedwith reference to FIG. 16, the master apparatus of the network N2 isreferred to as the “master apparatus (100D)”. In the fourth example ofthe process related to the communication stabilization approachdescribed with reference to FIG. 16, the slave apparatus S3 of thenetwork N2 is referred to as the “slave apparatus (100E)” and the slaveapparatuses S4 and S5 of the network N2 are referred to as the “slaveapparatuses (100F and 100G)”.

The master apparatus (100A) creates the external connection list relatedto the first network, as in step S100 of FIG. 7 (S400: a process ofcreating the external connection list).

When the master apparatus (100A) performs the process of creating theexternal connection list in step S400, the master apparatus (100A)transmits information such as the first setting information and thefirst network organization information to the slave apparatus (100E) viathe first communication path, as in step S102 of FIG. 7 (S402).

The slave apparatus (100E) receiving the information transmitted fromthe master apparatus (100A) via the first communication path in stepS402 performs the role determining process as in step S106 of FIG. 7(S404). Hereinafter, a case will be described where the slave apparatus(100E) is determined to play the role of the slave in the communicationvia the second communication path with the master apparatus (100A) instep S404.

When the slave apparatus (100E) performs the process of step S404, theslave apparatus (100E) transmits information such as the third settinginformation and the third network organization information to the masterapparatus (100A) via the first communication path (S406).

Here, the information transmitted in step S406 corresponds to theinformation shown in FIG. 5. The third setting information transmittedin step S406 corresponds to the setting information 182 shown in FIG. 5.The third network organization information transmitted in step S406corresponds to the setting information 194 shown in FIG. 5. That is, thethird network organization information transmitted in step S406 does notinclude the external connection list regarding the network N2 butincludes a subsequent list flag indicating that the external connectionlist shown in the payload 196 of FIG. 5 is transmitted later.

The master apparatus (100A) receiving the information transmitted fromthe slave apparatus (100E) via the first communication path in step S406performs the role determining process on the basis of the receivedinformation as in step S110 of FIG. 7 (S408). Hereinafter, a case willbe described where the master apparatus (100A) is determined to play therole of the master in the communication via the second communicationpath with each of the information processing apparatuses 100 of thenetwork N2 in step S408.

When the slave apparatus (100E) transmits the information to the masterapparatus (100A) in the communication via the first communication pathin step S406, the slave apparatus (100E) transmits the externalconnection list acquiring request to the master apparatus (100D) as instep S200 of FIG. 11 (S410).

The master apparatus (100D) receiving the external connection listacquiring request transmitted from the slave apparatus (100E) in stepS410 creates the external connection list in reply to the externalconnection list acquiring request as in step S306 of FIG. 13 (S412: aprocess of creating the external connection list). Hereinafter, a casewill be described where the passcode created in step S412 by the masterapparatus (100D) is a temporary passcode.

The master apparatus (100D) creating the external connection list instep S412 transmits the external connection list to the slave apparatus(100E) (S414).

The master apparatus (100D) transmitting the external connection list instep S414 transmits the temporary passcode created in step S412 to theslave apparatuses (100F and 100G) (S416). Subsequently, the masterapparatus (100D) disconnects the communication via the secondcommunication path with the slave apparatuses (100F and 100G) (S418: aprocess of disconnecting the second communication path). The masterapparatus (100D) also disconnects the communication via the secondcommunication path with the slave apparatus (100E) (S420: a process ofdisconnecting the second communication path). The sequence of theprocesses of step S418 and S420 performed by the master apparatus (100D)is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 16.

The master apparatus (100A) determined to play the role of the master instep S408 starts the communication via the second communication pathwith the slave apparatus (100E) (S422: a process of connecting thesecond communication path). Here, since the master apparatus (100A)permits the master apparatus (100D) of the network N2 to ensure time toperform the processes of steps S412 to S420, the process of step S422 isperformed after expiration of a predetermined time after the completionof the process of step S408. However, the application is not limitedthereto.

By performing the process of step S422, the master apparatus (100A) andthe slave apparatus (100E) become a communicable state via the secondcommunication path. When the slave apparatus (100E) becomes thecommunicable state, the slave apparatus (100E) transmits the externalconnection list acquired from the master apparatus (100D) in step S414to the master apparatus (100A) (S424).

The master apparatus (100A) starts the communication via the secondcommunication path with each of the master apparatus (100D) and theslave apparatuses (100F and 100G) (S426 and S428: a process ofconnecting the second communication path). Here, the master apparatus(100A) can perform the processes of steps S426 and S428 by using theexternal connection list transmitted from the slave apparatus (100E) instep S424. The sequence of the processes of step S426 and S428 performedby the master apparatus (100A) is not limited to the example shown inFIG. 16.

By performing the processes of steps S422, S426, and S428 by the masterapparatus (100A), the master apparatus (100A) of the network N1 and eachof the information processing apparatuses 100 of the network N2 areconnected to each other via the second communication path. That is, thenetworks N1 and N2 are integrated into one star-type network, as shownin FIG. 14C.

By performing the process of steps S400 to the process of step S428between the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the firstnetwork and the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing thesecond network, two star-type networks are integrated into one star-typenetwork.

As a consequence, it is possible to realize the communication via thesecond communication path between any of the information processingapparatuses among the master apparatus (100A), the slave apparatuses(100B and 100C), the master apparatus (100D), the slave apparatus(100E), and the slave apparatuses (100F and 100G) (S430).

In this way, by performing the processes shown in FIG. 16, it ispossible to integrate two star-type networks into one star-type networkbetween the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the firstnetwork and the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing thesecond network. Therefore, through the processes of the fourth exampleof the communication stabilization approach shown in FIG. 16, as in thefirst example of the communication stabilization approach, it ispossible to reduce the possibility that unintended communication failureoccurs, compared to the case of the scatternet or the case where thetechnology according to the known example is used. Moreover, since thecomplexity of the processes related to the communication is reduced bythe processes of the fourth example of the communication stabilizationapproach in comparison to the case of the scatternet, it is possible tomore easily realize an application, such as a game using thecommunication via the second communication path, using the communicationvia the second communication path between the information processingapparatuses.

By performing the processes of the fourth example of the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment, it is possible tocarry out more stable communication between any of the informationprocessing apparatuses information processing apparatus organizing theintegrated network, as well as the communication between the informationprocessing apparatuses belonging to different star-type networks.

[5] Fifth Example of Process Related to Communication StabilizationApproach

In the processes of the first and second examples of the communicationstabilization approach, the master apparatus of the first networkcarries out communication via the first communication path with themaster apparatus of the second network. In the processes of the thirdand fourth examples of the communication stabilization approach, themaster apparatus of the first network carries out the communication viathe first communication path with the slave apparatus of the secondnetwork. The process related to the communication stabilization approachaccording to the embodiment is not limited to the first to fourthexamples. Next, as a process of a fifth example of the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment, a process performedby the slave apparatus of the first network to carry out thecommunication via the first communication path with the slave apparatusof the second network will be exemplified.

FIGS. 17A to 17C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the fifth exampleof a process (communication method) related to the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment.

When the slave apparatus S1 (the information processing apparatus 100B)of the network N1 carries out the communication via the firstcommunication path with the slave apparatus S3 of the network N2, as inFIG. 17A, the role switching process of permitting the slave apparatusS1 to function as the master apparatus is performed in the network N1.More specifically, the process of the second example of thecommunication stabilization approach shown in FIG. 11, for example, isperformed in the network N1. By performing the process of the secondexample of the communication stabilization approach shown in FIG. 11,for example, in the network N1, the information processing apparatus100B is switched to the master apparatus in the network N1′, as shown inFIG. 17B.

The state shown in FIG. 17B corresponds to the state where the masterapparatus of the first network carries out the communication via thefirst communication path with the slave apparatus of the second network.Therefore, by performing the processes of the third example (or thefourth example) of the communication stabilization approach between theinformation processing apparatuses 100 organizing the network N1′ andthe information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the network N2, itis possible to realize the state shown in FIG. 17C.

When the slave apparatus of the first network carries out thecommunication via the first communication path with the slave apparatusof the second network, the process is performed by combining the processof the second example and the process of the third example (or thefourth example). In this way, as shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, it ispossible to integrate two star-type networks into one star-type network.Therefore, by performing the process of the fifth example of thecommunication stabilization approach, as in the process of the firstexample of the communication stabilization approach, it is possible toreduce the possibility that unintended communication failure occurs,compared to the case of the scatternet or the case where the technologyaccording to the known example is used. Moreover, since the complexityof the processes related to the communication is reduced by theprocesses of the fifth example of the communication stabilizationapproach in comparison to the case of the scatternet, it is possible tomore easily realize an application, such as a game using thecommunication via the second communication path, using the communicationvia the second communication path between the information processingapparatuses.

By performing the processes of the fifth example of the communicationstabilization approach according to the embodiment, it is possible tocarry out more stable communication between any of the informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the integrated network, as well ascommunication between the information processing apparatuses belongingto the different star-type networks.

According to an embodiment, the processes of the first to fifth examplesare selectively performed in accordance with a combination of the rolesof the information processing apparatuses 100 carrying out thecommunication via the first communication path between the first andsecond networks. Here, by performing the processes of the first to fifthexamples, it is possible to integrate two star-type networks into onestar-type network, as described above. As described above, by repeatingthe processes (for example, the processes of the first to fifthexamples) of integrating two star-type networks into one star-typenetwork, it is possible to integrate three or more star-type networksinto one star-type network. Therefore, by performing the above-describedprocesses of the first to fifth examples of the communicationstabilization approach to integrate the plurality of star-type networksinto one star-type network, it is possible to realize more stablecommunication between the information processing apparatuses belongingto the different star-type networks. Moreover, the processes related tothe communication stabilization approach according to the an embodimentare not limited to the first to fifth examples.

Information Processing Apparatus According to Embodiment

Next, will be described an example of the configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment capableof realizing the communication method (the process related to thecommunication stabilization approach) according to the above-describedembodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theconfiguration of the information processing apparatus 100 according toan embodiment. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a firstcommunication unit 102, a second communication unit 104, a memory unit106, a controller 108, an operation unit 110, and a display unit 112.

The information processing apparatus 100 may include a ROM (Read-OnlyMemory which is not shown) or a RAM (Random Access Memory which is notshown). In the information processing apparatus 100, constituentelements are connected to each other via a bus serving as a datatransmission path.

The ROM (not shown) stores programs executed by the controller 108 orcontrol data such as calculation parameters. The RAM (not shown)primarily stores the programs executed by the controller 108.

Example of Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus100

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of thehardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100according to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 19, for example, theinformation processing apparatus 100 includes a wireless communicationantenna circuit 150, a carrier wave transmitting circuit 152, acommunication interface 154, an MPU 156, a ROM 158, a RAM 160, a memorymedium 162, an input/output interface 164, an operation input device166, and a display device 168. In the information processing apparatus100, the constituent elements are connected to each other via a bus 170serving as a data transmission path.

The wireless communication antenna circuit 150 is the firstcommunication unit included in the information processing apparatus 100and is in charge of forming the first communication path with anexternal apparatus (for example, another information processingapparatus 100, and the same is applied below). The wirelesscommunication antenna circuit 150 includes a resonant circuit having acoil with predetermined inductance as a transceiver antenna and acapacitor with predetermined capacitance and a demodulation circuit. Thewireless communication antenna circuit 150 receives a magnetic field of,for example, 13.56 MHz (hereinafter, referred to as “first carrierwaves”) to demodulate various kinds of data transmitted from an externalapparatus and included in the information shown in FIG. 4 or 5, forexample. With such a configuration, the wireless communication antennacircuit 150 demodulates the first carrier waves transmitted from theexternal apparatus to acquire the information shown in FIG. 4 or 5, forexample.

The carrier wave transmitting circuit 152 includes a modulation circuitperforming ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulation, for example, and anamplification circuit amplifying the output of the modulation circuit.The carrier wave transmitting circuit 152 transmits the first carrierwaves containing a carrier wave signal from the transceiver antennas ofthe wireless communication antenna circuit 150. The informationprocessing apparatus 100 including the carrier wave transmitting circuit152 can have a so-called reader/writer function. Here, an example of thecarrier wave signal transmitted from the wireless communication antennacircuit 150 by the carrier wave transmitting circuit 152 includes asignal representing information shown in FIG. 4 or the information shownin FIG. 5. The transmission of the carrier waves of the carrier wavetransmitting circuit 152 is controlled by the MPU 156.

The wireless communication antenna circuit 150 and the carrier wavetransmitting circuit 152 function as the first communication unit 102forming the first communication path in the information processingapparatus 100. FIG. 19 shows the configuration in which the firstcommunication path is formed by NFC, but the application is not limitedthereto. For example, when the first communication path is formed byinfrared communication, the information processing apparatus 100 mayinclude an infrared communication port and a transceiver circuit.

The communication interface 154 is a second communication unit of theinformation processing apparatus 100 and serves as the secondcommunication unit 104. The communication interface 154 functions as acommunication interface forming the second communication path in theinformation processing apparatus 100. Here, examples of thecommunication interface 154 include an IEEE 802.15.1 port and atransceiver circuit, but the application is not limited thereto. Forexample, the information processing apparatus 100 may include acommunication interface of any communication method capable of forming astar-type network using the frequency hopping spread spectrum as thecommunication interface 154.

The MPU 156 includes a MPU (Micro processing unit) or an integratedcircuit in which a plurality of circuits is integrated to realize acontrol function. The MPU 156 functions as the controller 108controlling the entire information processing apparatus 100. The MPU 156may serve as a communication controller 120, a role controller 122, andan information creator 124, which are described below, in theinformation processing apparatus 100.

The ROM 158 stores programs executed by the MPU 156 or control data suchas calculation parameters. The RAM 160 primarily stores the programs,for example, executed by the MPU 156.

The memory medium 162 functions as the memory unit 106. For examples,the memory medium 162 stores various data such as the role adjustmentinformation, the setting information (data) acquired from an externalapparatus, the network organization information (data) acquired from anexternal apparatus, an application. Hereinafter, the setting informationacquired from an external apparatus is also termed “external settinginformation. The network organization information acquired from anexternal apparatus is also termed “external network organizationinformation”. Here, examples of the memory medium 162 include a magneticrecording medium such as a hard disk and non-volatile memory such as anEEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only memory), aflash memory, a MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory), a FeRAM(Ferroelectric Random Access Memory), or a PRAM (Phase change RandomAccess Memory). However, the application is not limited thereto.

The input/output interface 164 is connected to the operation inputdevice 166 or the display device 168, for example. The operation inputdevice 166 functions as the operation unit 110. The display device 168functions as the display unit 112. Here, examples of the input/outputinterface 164 include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a DVI(Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an HDMI (High-Definition MultimediaInterface) terminal, and various processing circuits. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. Since the operation input device 166can be mounted on the information processing apparatus 100, for example,the operation input device 166 is connected to the input/outputinterface 164 inside the information processing apparatus 100. Examplesof the operation input device 166 include a button, a direction key, arotational selection device such as a jog dial, or a combinationthereof. However, the application is not limited thereto. Since thedisplay device 168 is mounted on the information processing apparatus100, for example, the display device 168 is connected to theinput/output interface 164 inside the information processing apparatus100. Examples of the display device 168 include an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) and an organic EL display (also called an organicElectroLuminance display or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodedisplay). However, the application is not limited thereto. Of course,the input/output interface 164 can be connected to an operation inputdevice (for example, a keyboard or a mouse) serving as an externaldevice of the information processing apparatus 100 or a display device(for example, an external display).

The information processing apparatus 100 having the configuration shownin FIG. 19, for example, performs processes related to the process (thecommunication process via the first communication path) of (B-1) to theprocess (the connection process via the second communication path) of(D-1) to realize the communication stabilization approach according tothe above-described embodiment.

The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100according to the embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown inFIG. 19. For example, the information processing apparatus 100 accordingto the embodiment may include a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), anamplifier, or a voice output device including a speaker.

The constituent elements of the information processing apparatus 100will be described again with reference to FIG. 18. The firstcommunication unit 102 is the first communication unit of theinformation processing apparatus 100 and performs the communication viathe first communication path with an external apparatus. Here, the firstcommunication unit 102 carries out non-contact type communication, suchas NFC, using carrier waves with a predetermined frequency with anexternal apparatus. However, the application is not limited thereto.

The information processing apparatus 100 including the firstcommunication unit 102 transmits information such as the informationshown in FIG. 4 or the information shown in FIG. 5 to an externalapparatus via the first communication path, and thus can acquiresinformation such as the information shown in FIG. 4 or the informationshown in FIG. 5 from the external apparatus. That is, the informationprocessing apparatus 100 including the first communication unit 102 canacquire the information (for example, the setting information or theexternal connection list) used to carry out the communication via thesecond communication path with any information processing apparatus 100organizing another star-type network.

The second communication unit 104 is the second communication unit ofthe information processing apparatus 100 and performs communication withan external apparatus via the second communication path different fromthe first communication path. Here, the second communication unit 104can perform the communication with the external apparatus by thewireless communication of IEEE 802.15.1. However, the application is notlimited thereto. The information processing apparatus 100 including thesecond communication unit 104 can form the star-type network togetherwith the external apparatus.

The memory unit 106 is a memory unit of the information processingapparatus 100. Here, examples of the memory unit 106 include a magneticrecording medium such as a hard disk and a non-volatile memory such as aflash memory. However, the application is not limited thereto.

The memory unit 106 stores various data such as the role adjustmentinformation, the external setting information, the external networkorganization information, an application. FIG. 18 shows the examplewhere the role adjustment information 126, the external settinginformation 128, and the external network organization information 130are stored in the memory unit 106. However, the application is notlimited thereto. For example, the memory unit 106 can store theplurality of external setting information and the plurality of externalnetwork organization information each corresponding to the externalsetting information. Moreover, the memory unit 106 may store information(for example, network organization information corresponding to thenetwork belonging to the information processing apparatus) created bythe information creator 124, which is described below.

The controller 108 includes an MPU or an integrated circuit in whichvarious processing circuits are integrated. The controller 108 controlsthe entire information processing apparatus 100. The controller 108includes the communication controller 120, the role controller 122, andthe information creator 124. The controller 108 having the aboveconfiguration mainly performs the processes (for example, the processesof the above-described first to fifth examples) related to thecommunication stabilization approach according to the above-describedembodiment.

The communication controller 120 controls the first communication unit102 and the second communication unit 104 and controls each of thecommunications via the first communication path and the communicationvia the second communication path.

Example of Control of Communication Controller 120

For example, the communication controller 120 performs the process (thecommunication process via the first communication path) of (B-1) bycontrolling the first communication unit 102.

The communication controller 120 performs the process (the process ofpreparing the integration of the networks on the basis of the determinedroles) of (C-1), the process (the pairing process in the secondcommunication path) of (C-2), and the process (the connection processvia the second communication path) of (D-1) on the basis of the role inthe communication via the second communication path controlled in therole controller 122.

For example, when the role controller 122 determines the informationprocessing apparatus to play the role of the master of the communicationvia the second communication path, the information processing apparatuscarries out active communication via the second communication path withan external apparatus. In this case, the information processingapparatus 100 functions as the master apparatus of the star-type networkformed by the second communication path. More specifically, on the basisof the setting information received via the first communication path,the communication controller 120 carries out active communication viathe second communication path with the external apparatus (anotherinformation processing apparatus 100 transmitting the information viathe first communication path) so as to correspond to the settinginformation. Moreover, on the basis of the network organizationinformation received via the first communication path, the communicationcontroller 120 carries out the active communication via the secondcommunication path with the external apparatus (another informationprocessing apparatus 100 organizing the external network) so as tocorrespond to the network organization information.

Therefore, the communication controller 120 controls the communicationwhen the role controller 122 determines the information processingapparatus to play the role of the master. In this way, it is possible tointegrate the network belonging to the information processing apparatusand another network into one star-type network.

For example, when the role controller 122 determines the informationprocessing apparatus to play the role of the slave in the communicationvia the second communication path, the communication controller 120performs passive communication via the second communication path withthe external apparatus receiving the information shown in FIG. 4 via thefirst communication path. Therefore, the communication controller 120controls the communication when the role controller 122 determines theinformation processing apparatus to play the role of the slave. In thisway, it is possible to integrate the network belonging to theinformation processing apparatus and another network into one star-typenetwork.

By performing the above-described process by the communicationcontroller 120, for example, it is possible to integrate the pluralityof star-type networks into one star-type network.

The process related to the control performed by the communicationcontroller 120 is not limited thereto. For example, the communicationcontroller 120 can control the communication in the process (forexample, the process shown in FIG. 11) of the second example of thecommunication stabilization approach before the communication via thefirst communication path. The communication controller 120 permits theinformation creator 124 to create various kinds of information, such asthe information shown in FIG. 4, the information shown in FIG. 5, andthe external connection list acquiring request, related to thecommunication stabilization approach according to the application.

The role controller 122 controls the role (for example, master/slave)which the information processing apparatus 100 plays in thecommunication via the second communication path. The role controller 122determines the role which the information processing apparatus 100 playsin the communication via the second communication path, by performingthe process (the role determining process) of (B-2) and the roleswitching process shown in FIG. 11, for example. However, theapplication is not limited thereto. For example, the role controller 122may determine the role in the communication via the second communicationpath on the basis of an operation signal in reply to an operation of auser delivered from the operation unit 110.

The role controller 122 permits the information creator 124 to createthe designation role information (for example, the BT role informationshown in FIG. 4) by delivering the determined role to the informationcreator 124, for example. The application is not limited to the casewhere the role controller 122 permits the information creator 124 tocreate the designation role information. For example, the rolecontroller 122 may permit the information creator 124 to create roleinformation (not shown) representing the role in the communication viathe second communication path whenever the role is determined (or therole is changed). When the role controller 122 permits the informationcreator 124 to create the role information, the communication controller120 may perform control on the basis of the role information, forexample.

For example, on the basis of an information creating command in thecommunication controller 120 or the role controller 122, the informationcreator 124 creates information in reply to the information creatingcommand. Examples of the information created by the information creator124 include the setting information regarding the information processingapparatus 100, the network organization information regarding thenetwork to which the information processing apparatus 100 belongs, andthe designation role information. However, the application is notlimited thereto.

The controller 108 including the communication controller 120, the rolecontroller 122, and the information creator 124, for example, can mainlyperform the process related to the communication stabilization approachaccording to the above-described embodiment. The configuration of thecontroller 108 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 18. Forexample, the controller 108 may include an execution unit (not shown)executing a process related to the execution of an application, such asa game using the communication via the second communication path, usingthe communication via the second communication path between theinformation processing apparatuses or an application stored in thememory unit 106.

The operation unit 110 is an operation unit included in the informationprocessing apparatus 100 and permitting an operation of a user. Theinformation processing apparatus 100 including the operation unit 110can perform a desired process of the user in reply to the operation ofthe user by permitting the operation of the user related to theexecution of the application, for example. Here, examples of theoperation unit 110 include a button, a direction key, a rotationalselector such as a jog dial, and a combination thereof. However, theapplication is not limited thereto.

The display unit 112 is a display unit of the information processingapparatus 100 and displays various kinds of information on a displayscreen. Examples of a screen displayed on the display screen of thedisplay unit 112 include an execution screen of an application, adisplay screen showing a communication state, and an operation screenused to execute the desired operation on the information processingapparatus 100. Here, examples of the display unit 112 include an LCD oran organic EL display. However, the application is not limited thereto.For example, the display unit 112 of the information processingapparatus 100 may be formed by a touch screen. In the above case, thedisplay unit 112 functions as an operation unit permitting operation anddisplay of the user.

The information processing apparatus 100 having the configuration shownin FIG. 18, for example, realizes the process related to theabove-described communication stabilization approach. Therefore, theinformation processing apparatus 100 can integrate the plurality ofstar-type networks into one star-type network. Therefore, it is possibleto carry out more stable communication between any of informationprocessing apparatuses organizing the integrated network, as well as thecommunication between the information processing apparatuses belongingto different star-type networks.

As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 accordingto an embodiment performs the process (the communication process via thefirst communication path) of (B-1) to the process (the connectionprocess via the second communication path) of (D-1) together withanother information processing apparatus 100 organizing the externalnetwork. Each of the information processing apparatuses 100 organizingthe first network and each of the information processing apparatuses 100organizing the second network perform the process related to thecommunication stabilization approach according to an embodiment. In thisway, the first and second networks are integrated into one star-typenetwork. Therefore, by using the information processing apparatus 100,it is possible to reduce the possibility that unintended communicationfailure occurs in the integrated network, compared to the case of thescatternet or the case where the technology according to the knownexample is used. Since the complexity of the process related to thecommunication is reduced in comparison to the case of the scatternet byusing the information processing apparatus 100, it is possible to moreeasily realize an application, such as a game using the communicationvia the second communication path, using the communication via thesecond communication path between the information processingapparatuses. The information processing apparatus 100 can integrate theplurality of star-type networks into one star-type network. Therefore,it is possible to carry out more stable communication between any of theinformation processing apparatuses organizing the integrated network, aswell as the communication between the information processing apparatusesbelonging to different star-type networks.

The information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the first networkand the information processing apparatuses 100 organizing the secondnetwork make it possible to carry out the communication via the secondcommunication path by transmitting and receiving the information shownin FIG. 4, for example, via the first communication path formed by NFC.That is, by using the information processing apparatus 100, theintegration of the networks is realized just in the way in which theuser approaches the information processing information 100 owned by theuser with respect to another information processing apparatus 100 up tothe range in which the communication via the first communication pathcan be carried out with another information processing apparatus 100,for example.

More specifically, by using the above-described information processingapparatus 100, it is possible to realize one star-type network formed byintegrating the plurality of star-type networks. Therefore, when anapplication using the communication via the second communication pathbetween the information processing apparatuses is a game using thecommunication via the second communication path, it is possible to matchrole allotment (application layer) of the game with role allotment of aphysical layer of the network in each information processing apparatus100. Therefore, since control of transmitting and receiving packets inthe network is simplified, it is possible to easily realize the gameusing the communication via the second communication path and stabilizethe communication by using the information processing apparatus 100.

The information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment hasbeen described, but the present application is not limited to theabove-described embodiment. An embodiment is applicable to variousapparatuses such as a computer such as a PC and a PDA (Personal DigitalAssistant), a portable communication apparatus such as a cellular phoneand a PHS (Personal Handyphone system), a video/music reproducingapparatus, a video/music recording and reproducing apparatus, and aportable game console.

Recording Medium Recording Computer Readable Program Related toInformation Processing Apparatus According to Embodiment

The plurality of star-type networks can be integrated into one star-typenetwork by a program causing a computer to function as the informationprocessing apparatus according to an embodiment. Therefore, it ispossible to carry out more stable communication between any of theinformation processing apparatuses organizing the integrated network, aswell as the communication between the information processing apparatusesbelonging to different star-type networks.

Embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, but the present application is not limited thereto.

For example, the program has been provided to cause the computer tofunction as the information processing apparatus according to theembodiment. However, according to the embodiment, a recording mediumrecording the program may be provided also.

The above configuration is just an example of an embodiment of thepresent application.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope and without diminishing itsintended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

The application is claimed as follows:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a first communication unit configured to communicate with a first external apparatus via a first communication path; a second communication unit configured to communicate with the first external apparatus via a second communication path, wherein the second communication path uses a different frequency range than the first communication path; and a controller configured to make the second communication unit communicate directly with the first external apparatus via the second communication path when a role of the information processing apparatus is a first role.
 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a role of the information processing apparatus with the first external apparatus belonging to a network in the second communication path based on designation role information which is sent from the first external apparatus via the first communication path and received by the first communication unit.
 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the network is organized by a plurality of external apparatuses including the first external apparatus.
 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to make the second communication unit communicate with each of the plurality of external apparatuses in the network via the second communication path when the determined role of the information processing apparatus is the first role.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit carries out non-contact type communication via the first communication path.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second communication unit carries out Bluetooth communication via the second communication path.
 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit receives address information from the first external apparatus.
 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first communication unit receives a passcode from the first external apparatus.
 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the passcode is a random number.
 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller controls a communication by the second communication unit based on the address information and the passcode.
 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller controls a communication by the second communication unit based on the address information.
 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a role controller and a communication controller, and wherein the role controller determines the role in communication by the second communication unit and the communication controller controls communication by the second communication unit according to the role.
 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first communication unit receives address information and a passcode from the first external apparatus, and the communication controller controls the communication by the second communication unit based on the address information and the passcode.
 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit.
 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the display unit is formed by a touch screen.
 16. An information processing method comprising: communicating, by a first communication unit, with a first external apparatus via a first communication path; communicating, by a second communication unit, with the first external apparatus via a second communication path, wherein the second communication path uses a different frequency range than the first communication path; and making, by a controller, the second communication unit communicate directly with the first external apparatus via the second communication path when a role of the information processing apparatus is a first role.
 17. A computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause a controller to: communicate, by a first communication unit, with a first external apparatus via a first communication path; communicate, by a second communication unit, with the first external apparatus via a second communication path, wherein the second communication path uses a different frequency range than the first communication path; and make the second communication unit communicate directly with the first external apparatus via the second communication path when a role of the information processing apparatus is a first role. 